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How to Make Grapevine Wreaths With Greens

Contributor
By Morgan Richter
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Add a touch of festive cheer to your home with a homemade wreath made by twisting grapevines together. Adorn the wreath with an assortment of harvested greens to create an attractive and unique holiday decoration.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Grapevines
  • Shears
  • Durable greens
  • Twine or wire
  • Ribbon
  1. Step 1

    Cut fresh grapevines with heavy-duty gardening shears into lengths several feet long. Remove all leaves or fruit clinging to the vine, though you can keep any decorative curly tendrils.

  2. Step 2

    Wrap a long, sturdy vine into a circle slightly smaller than the intended size of your finished product. Holding the circle in place with one hand, wrap the remainder of the vine in a spiral around it. Tuck the end of the vine in place to anchor the shape of the wreath. If the end won't stay in place naturally, use a small piece of twine or wire to tie it in position.

  3. Step 3

    Tuck the end of a second vine in place between the overlapping vines of the circle and spiral this vine around the length of the circle as well. Repeat this process with as many vines as necessary to gain the desired wreath thickness.

  4. Step 4

    Assemble a variety of greens and other natural materials to cover the wreath. Use small branches snipped from evergreen trees, especially firs, to make a traditional holiday wreath. Look for flexible, durable greens that won't rot and will maintain an attractive appearance long after being cut. Palm fronds, eucalyptus twigs and pussy willow branches also work well.

  5. Step 5

    Tuck the greens into the grapevine to secure them, or tie them into place with twine. Cover as much or as little of the underlying grapevine structure as strikes your fancy. Twigs from a holly bush, with the shiny green leaves and red berries attached, or sprigs of mistletoe can be tucked in amongst the green for a festive appearance. Colorful autumn leaves, pine cones, dried bunches of herbs, dried flowers, and dried fruit or gourds also work well. Decorating options are only limited by your imagination. Add a finishing fabric bow, if desired.

Tips & Warnings
  • Harvest grapevines during the fall and winter, when the vines aren't bearing fruit. Form the vines into wreaths as soon after harvest as possible to prevent them from becoming dry and brittle. Soak dry vines in water for several hours to make them easier to bend. If you have difficulty maintaining the proper circular shape by tucking the grapevine ends into the wreath, use twine or wire to tie the vines together in discreet intervals around the circumference. The ties can be later disguised with greens and other decorations.
  • As grapevines are flexible and tend to shift around, use care while cutting them. Saws can easily slip on the thin yet tough vines and cause injury.
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