Decorating your home with a wreath has its roots in history. Called diadems by the Persians, the word was derived from the Greek word diadem, meaning – to bind round. Those of imperial stature began wearing diadems made of bands of fabric and later from laurel leaves. The most famous of diadem wearers was Julius Caesar. The diadems worn as symbols of authority or presented as accolade were much later replaced by elaborate headdresses or crowns.

Crowns made of laurel leaves eventually were often hung on walls and on doors to display the victory or celebration. Around the fifteenth century the display of wreaths to honor religious holidays and give tribute to special occasions began to appear. Although the word wreath often evokes a vision of fragrant holiday evergreens hung over a mantel or on the front door, wreaths today can be made of almost any material. They are especially easy to adorn with easy-to-sew decorations.

Hand-stitched felt ornament wreath

Large cookie cutter shapes can be useful as templates. Cut out two pieces of your choice of colored felt from the template, blanket stitch around the edges with contrasting color embroidery floss, lightly stuff with fiberfill and glue to a straw or grapevine wreath. Add some pine cones or dried flowers collected from a nature walk to complete.

Burlap ribbon wreath

Popular now are wire wreath frames woven through with a continuous strip of natural burlap ribbon, non-wired on the edges. The burlap ribbon comes in a variety of widths on a spool. Choose a width that will allow for the ribbon to be folded over, then pushed into the wire frame sections several times, then twist a few times from behind the wire frame to secure and continue pushing the burlap ribbon into the wire frame and twisting behind in sections until the wreath is full. Add any scrappy fabric ornaments. Those made of bits of lace are especially charming. An alternative design choice, for added color, is to alternate the burlap ribbon with any seasonal fabric cut as the same width as the burlap ribbon and woven along side the burlap ribbon.

Scrappy wreath

A great way to use up fabric scraps is to cut the scraps into uniform lengths and tie around a sturdy foam or wire wreath form. Cutting the fabric scraps using pinking shears adds dimension. Alternate the fabric strips with coordinating strips cut from six inch rolls of tulle for an added ethereal effect. As a final step, spray the fabric wreath with a water-proof fabric stiffener if the wreath is to hang on a covered outside door to protect somewhat against moisture.

Flower wreath

Wrap a sturdy foam (or straw) wreath with satin ribbon. Decorate with folded fabric flowers. Easiest way to make fabric flowers is to cut out several round fabric circles. Fold each circle in half, then in half again. Arrange next to each other and glue or pin to the foam or straw wreath form. Of course, the more flower shapes are used, the fuller the wreath will be. Intersperse contrasting fabric or ribbon bows for added fullness. Attach several to the wreath, grouped together for effect for a pleasing arrangement. Fabric yo-yo’s also make great decorations to adorn the wreath.

Today, wreaths are a common custom adorning many a door, with a different wreath for each season or announcing a special celebration.

Sew happy, sew inspired.