BITTERSWEET WREATH DIY
I’m a huge fan of fall bittersweet! It’s brambly and wild and so pretty in fall decor! It’s a wonder that I have not made a BITTERSWEET WREATH for my front door until now. This is wreath making 101! So if you have never made a wreath before or don’t think you are crafty… YOU CAN DO THIS! It will take you less than 30 minutes to complete and you will have a gorgeous fall wreath for your front door! Let’s get started!
This is definitely a “less is more” wreath. The bittersweet is enough and makes a beautiful statement!
STONEGABLE BITTERSWEET WREATH DIY
Materials:
- 2 grapevine wreaths The size of the wreaths will depend on the size of your door and how big you want your wreath to be. I used 2 16 inch wreaths.
- Faux branches of bittersweet Buy the best looking bittersweet you can find. I’ve had these branches for years… more than a decade! I got them at a local shop. A local decor shop is probably your best bet to find great faux bittersweet. If you can find great looking bittersweet, go ahead and pay a little extra for it!!! You can take the bittersweet branches off the wreath and use them over and over for years! Do not use real bittersweet, it is way too fragile!
- Ribbon and wire to make a big fluffy bow. If you can’t make a bow, the shop that you buy the ribbon in will usually make a bow for you at no charge. Use at least 3 yards of ribbon to make the bow.
- Wire 2 grapevine wreaths together. See the arrow in the picture above. I usually wire the grapevine wreaths at 9:00, 12:00 , 3:00 and 6:00.
- Wire a fluffy bow on the wreath. The bow should be between 10:00 and 11:00 on the wreath.
- Cut apart the bittersweet, and stick the bittersweet twigs into the wreath on either side of the bow, as above. If the twigs are not very very secure, hot glue them in.
Fluff the bow and that’s it! So easy peasy… and quite striking too!
Don’t you love the fall twiggy-ness of this bittersweet wreath!
Happy Fall!
I love the wreath, Yvonne! I love bittersweet, and finally found some faux bittersweet through an online “primitive” shop. Your basic craft stores just don’t carry good quality bittersweet, at all! Your right, local gift shops or even an online shop will have the best faux bittersweet. I love tucking it around wreaths, in vignettes, on my mantle, in vases, etc… it adds such a nice Fall touch! Have a lovely day!
Bittersweet is one of my favorite plants. We have an original, small Navajo pot and I filled it with faux bittersweet. It sits atop one of our end tables. I never tire of it.
Your wreath is very pretty.
Your wreaths have been the inspiration that I have needed to get off high center. Made one for early autumn with sunflowers to end the hot summers we have. Have one for autumn to carry me into the Christmas season. My goal is to have one for almost each month of the year. Thanks for all the great ideas you share.
Simple but gorgeous! Never knew where to find source for bittersweet. Thanks for the tip!! By far my favorite blog! Have gotten so many ideas and recipes!?
Beautiful wreath! I love bittersweet also! I’ve been picking it wild for the past 30 years or so, but it has been increasingly harder to find lately due to the horrible poisons that are sprayed along the roads around here to kill vegetation. Since bittersweet tends to grow there it gets killed and never comes back. I’m thinking of planting some on my son’s land so I have a good supply in the future.
Shelly, check your state laws. Bittersweet is considered a “invasive” plant and has done more damage than good. It can be a real nuisance! But, I love it like you do… so pretty!
Thanks, I didn’t think of that.
Your wreath are so beautiful.
Thank you Joan!
I love your wreath.
Have a great day.
So love this, and you made the DIY some easy !!! thank you !
I love bittersweet! It is a simple but elegant way to decorate a wreath.
It’s one of my favorites too
What a beautiful wreath! I love an easy tutorial! Have a great weekend. Silvana
Where oh where did you get that beautiful orange and white ribbon? I do hope it was a recent purchase and not a “storage room” find! It’s perfect for my team colors wreath. I would love to purchase enough for my fall wreath.
Yvonne,
Nothing says Autumn quite like bittersweet, dear friend!!!
Love the simplicity of this wreath’s decorative design!!!
That wide orange check ribbon is spectacular!!!
Thank you for sharing and inspiring!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Why use 2 wreaths?
It’s gorgeous by the way!
Katie
Doubling the wreath gives it heft and makes it look fuller. It’s a designer’s secret. I’ve been doing that for years.
Wonderful idea to double the wreaths. Off to the craft store now!
The Cottage Journal is my favorite magazine also! Every time I get a copy I droll over it! So excited about them being at Stonegable!
I subscribe to cottage journal. What month should I be looking at I can’t find anything in the fall issue
Thx
Hi Tracy, this was actually last year.
I love cottage journal, my fav also. Looking forward to the article.
Me too!~ The folks at CG are so nice!
I am going to try this on my door!! Thanks for the great step by step.
I added this to my wreath board and will make someday! I love how you use 2 grapevine wreaths, it really adds an extra level of dimension!
So that’s the secret! Years ago I made Christmas wreaths and gave them as gifts but they always looked so skimpy, I never thought about wire wiring two wreaths together. I’m going to try this, thank you Yvonne for your inspiration, I love your blog.
Wonderful tip about doubling the wreath. I live in the country and I have a huge bittersweet bush. I have a 3ft tall bird house outside that I adorn with bittersweet branches for fall.
It makes such a difference Kathy!
lovely! thank you for letting us know about the two wreaths–I had no idea–but what a difference it makes! <3 sooooo ready for Fall…!
Hello Yvonne.catching up on my T.il. I love love !bitterswee I can’t find it growing around here.I live in Akron NY. Also the crafty stores don’t have nice looking bittersweet. Might you know where I can find nice looking bittersweet. Also if I ever find it fresh can it be dried well.would appreciate your advice.Hope you and Bobby and family are doing well.Blessings to you all.
Bittersweet is not usually something you can find locally, real that is! Try Wayfair for faux bittersweet or Hobby Lobby. Hope this helps.
Yvonne, I too, love the look of bittersweet. This wreath is so pretty.
Years ago, I made the mistake of making a wreath out of real bittersweet. Boy, did I learn to regret it! It showed up in my yard in lots of places, and was so hard to get rid of.
Consequently, I am on the lookout for “real-looking’ faux bittersweet to make this lovely wreath. I have learned my lesson. 🙂
Oh my goodness, Rose! What a lesson for us all! Bless your heart! Thanks for sharing this sad but a bit funny too (sorry) story!?