Holidays, special occasions, and seasonal shifts share one blissful commonality: they are each perfect times for wreath making! If you’re reading this post, you may have found yourself searching for do it yourself (DIY) wreath making solutions after seeing the high price a quality wreath can demand online and in stores.
Fortunately, with a dollop of initiative and a spark of creativity, you can build your own high quality wreath – perfect for any occasion! What’s better yet? The process of creating a wreath can be a fun undertaking for the whole family.
Wreaths make perfect gifts, door accents, chimney decorations, and wall art! The possibilities are truly endless for how you can craft and customize your wreath, which is why making your own wreath may actually produce a more satisfying end product than merely purchasing one.
Without further ado, let’s proceed into today’s topic: What tools do I need to build the perfect wreath? We’ll be going over all of the essentials! Feel free to bring a copy of our list to your local arts and crafts store. If you’re lucky, you may find that you already have everything you need in the comfort of your own home!
Enjoy, and happy wreath building!
- Scissors
If you’re like me, you have scissors in every nook and cranny of your house! We chose to list scissors first for two reasons. First, they are versatile and will be useful countless times throughout your wreath building process. Second, they are the most likely item on today’s list to already be within your home. Although scissors will be perfect for cutting your mesh and ribbons to size, be sure to avoid cutting any silk flowers you plan to add onto your wreath. You can also go with a nice sturdy pair of crafting scissors.
- Glue Gun (Preferably High Temperature)
Second on our list is the classic glue gun. We have a heavy preference for high temperature glue guns, which allow for smoother glueing and a more permanent “stickiness factor.” You’ll use the glue gun to attach flowers, ribbons, and petals to your wreath.
- Glue Sticks
What use is a glue gun without the ammo: glue sticks! Our best recommendation is to buy more than you think you need. Although a small pack of sticks may seem like enough, the last thing you want to worry about during production is running back to the store to buy more. By having additional glue sticks on hand, you will also have confidence knowing that you can use as much glue as you need without running out. This is important, as additional glue is an important component to ensure the longevity of your wreath.
- Cutting Mat
The purpose of a cutting mat is two fold: First, you can use the cutting mat to ensure the glue from your glue gun does not leak onto your table, countertops, or floor. Second, the mat will protect your tabletops from any damage that could be caused by our next item, the rotary cutter! Michaels has a great selection of cutting mats to choose from.
- Rotary Cutter
Great for cutting fabric and mesh, a sharp rotary cutter will save time while building your wreath. Additionally, a high quality rotary cutter can prevent your materials from fraying, a common pitfall for wreath makers.
- Wire Pliers
These are a must have for proper wreath building! Not only do wire cutters allow you to cut thick flower stems down to size, but they help trim wire into the correct measurements. We recommend wire cutters that are designed for electrical work because of the sharper finish they tend to provide.
- Hole Punch (Metal)
The hole punch is perfect for wreath making. By cutting through any metal signs you may want to include, you can easily make holes for attaching wire to your wreath, thereby securing the sign in place. Using a drill can be in-precise (and in some cases, dangerous). The metal hole punch is a seamless and fast way to make perfectly sized holes for any sign you wish to add!
- Florist Wire
As we mentioned above, you may wish to attach numerous decorations to your wreath. Florist wire is the perfect tool to do so! What’s better yet is that you may be surprised to find florist wire sitting in your shed, junk drawer, or garage meaning you have one less item to purchase! If you don’t have any on hand, you can find it at Michaels or your favorite craft store.
- Floral Picks (Wooden)
Some floral stems refuse to remain in place due to their small size. Even the highest temperature glue gun may fail to keep them still. The perfect solution is a good floral pick. By adding floral picks, you can ensure any small stems (which contort after adding hot glue) stay put!
- Floral Tape
If you choose to use floral picks, be sure to pick up some floral tape as well. The tape adds an additional layer of support for the picks, and can blend into your wreath nicely if you purchase a color variety pack.
Honorable Mention: Pipe Cleaners
Pipe cleaners unfortunately did not make our list as a must have. Why? The reason is because they serve a similar purpose to the florist wire we listed above. By the same token, you may find your arts and crafts drawer swimming with pipe cleaners. If you find yourself with a surplus of pipe cleaners, you may actually be able to substitute out the florist wire. An added benefit to using pipe cleaners is that you can add different colors that may not be available for florist wire. Overall, while we feel that florist wire is a more discrete and secure method to attaching items to your wreath, we felt inclined to include pipe cleaners as an honorable mention for all of you DIYers out there!
Closing Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed our list! Can you think of something we may have missed? If so, be sure to reach out in the comments below! In the meantime, we hope you have a great time building your wreath. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, remember that we are only a few clicks away. Happy wreath building!
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