How to Make Grape Vine Wreaths

Grape vines grow wild and abundant in most rural areas. The pliability makes it perfect for wreath projects of all sizes and shapes. Feel free to clip your vines in advance; they'll dry out a bit in storage but spring right back to their former flexibility after a day's soaking in a tub of water.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Garden gloves
• Loppers
• Pruning shears
• Florist wire
• Round plastic baskets
• Boulder
• Shot glass

1. Select vines that are young and pliable. Gently tug on a vine to remove it from a fence or tree. Use loppers to clip the vine into lengths up to 8 feet. The shorter lengths will make the vines easier to work with.

2. Remove all foliage and any fruit remaining on the vine. Don't remove the curling tendrils that help the vine cling to trees and other vines.

3. Select a circular basket or tub that's approximately the size you want your wreath to be. Turn the basket upside down and weigh it down with a boulder. This will be the form around which you weave your wreath.

4. Wrap the vine around the form twice, beginning with the thickest end of the vine. Use pruning shears to clip the vine at this point.

5. Carefully lift the wreath off the form without unwinding it. Wrap a length of florist wire around both ends of the vine to hold the circular shape. Replace this wreath base on the form.

6. Continue wrapping the vine around the wreath base, occasionally tucking in and out in a weaving pattern as you wrap. As you near the end of the vine, tuck the last few inches into the wreath and secure with florist wire.

7. Add strands of vine until you're satisfied with the size and shape of your wreath. Tie the ends of the completed vine together with florist wire.

8. Examine the completed wreath carefully for hidden tendrils, and draw out some of the curling tendrils so that they dry on the wreath exterior. These will provide natural hangers if you want to add decorations to your wreath.

9. Run your hand around the completed wreath and feel for loose areas. Use florist wire to tighten those areas.

10. Wrap a length of florist wire around a shot glass several times to form a sturdy hanging loop. Clip the wire, leaving about 3 inches of wire unwrapped at one end.

11. Wrap the unwrapped wire twice around the hanging loop to hold the loop shape in place. Twist to secure. Connect the hanging loop to the wreath with more floral wire.

Tips & Warnings

• Wait a month or so before decorating and hanging your grape vine wreath. This gives the vines a chance to dry out completely.

References

• Making a Grapevine Wreath