How to Make a Harvest Swag for Thanksgiving

Swags are used to decorate doors, walls and mantels. They are made from a variety of materials that are secured with wire to a flat frame. Fall leaves, wheat and gourds give this swag a harvest look and feel.

Things You'll Need

• Raffia
• Hosiery
• Indian Corn
• Garden Shears
• Garden Stakes
• Gardening Gloves
• Gourds
• Miniature Pumpkins
• Nursery Flats
• Artichokes
• Nuts
• Wheat
• Fallen Leaves
• Paddle Wire

Instructions

1. 

   Make a frame by cutting the sides off a plastic nursery flat, or by cutting six 1/2-inch diameter branches from a tree or shrub. They should be 14 to 16 inches long and as straight as possible. Or, use bamboo stakes to make the frame.

2. 

   Wire the straight branches or bamboo stakes into a loose square shape. To do this, lay the two side pieces on a flat surface, then place two branches on top and wire the four corners together. Next, wire the two remaining branches in the shape of an X through the center of the square.

3. Cut evergreen and fall foliage from your garden in various lengths. Some types of foliage you might choose are oak, liquidambar, maple, leptospermum or pyracantha.

4. Lay the longest piece of foliage on the frame with the growth tip pointed down.

5. 

   Place another piece on top of the first, but with the growth tip facing up.

6. Wire the two pieces to the frame with floral or craft wire.

7. 

   Add more greenery, this time facing east and west on the frame. Continue adding and wiring foliage until the frame is no longer visible. The growth tips on the cuttings should all be facing the outside edge of the frame, so that the final effect is that of a sunburst.

8. 

   Wrap floral wire around stalks of wheat, miniature Indian corn, the stems of miniature pumpkins and the bases of small artichokes, leaving 12 to 18 inches of wire attached so that you can fasten the ornamental vegetables onto the swag. Use the produce to cover the cut ends of the foliage and hide the stems.

9. Attach a wire loop to the back of the frame so you can hang your swag.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a bow of raffia to cover the center of the swag.

• Tuck and wire the foliage so that all of the cut stem ends are covered.

• Wrap nuts and gourds tightly in pieces of recycled panty hose, then secure the ends with floral wire. Leave some wire attached so you can wire them to the swag. The panty hose will never show from a distance.

• Swags can quickly become very heavy. Lift it often while you are working to check the weight.