By Kris Christensen

Welcoming guests to enjoy your hospitality or greeting you as you arrive home again, your front door always makes a first impression. Of all the ways to create a friendly and well-styled entry for the season, a wreath is the one of the simplest options. I collected and dried natural materials to craft these four DIY fall wreaths that beautifully bridge the seasons between summer and fall with farmhouse-inspired style.

Eucalyptus and Craspedia

The key to arranging eucalyptus is in forming the greens around the frame while they are still supple and fresh. After letting the leaves dry for a few days, the dried craspedia balls were glued into position on the DIY wreath.
The key to arranging eucalyptus is in forming the greens around the frame while they are still supple and fresh. After letting the leaves dry for a few days, the dried craspedia balls were glued into position.

Yellow craspedia is a cheerful addition to this wreath, made of two types of eucalyptus. I started by drying the craspedia a week in advance by hanging it upside-down in bunches. Fresh from the flower market, the wide and round leaves of the Silver Dollar eucalyptus and the long, narrow stems of the Baby Blue variety were woven into the wire wreath frame. These were allowed to dry on the wreath frame and will retain their shape and color over time. However, you’ll have to enjoy the fresh scent of eucalyptus while it lasts, as it diminishes after drying.

Wheat

When the wheat almost completes the circle and the overlap becomes difficult to maneuver, wrap up the floral tape and switch to hot glue to fill in any gaps on the DIY wreath.
When the wheat almost completes the circle and the overlap becomes difficult to maneuver, wrap up the floral tape and switch to hot glue to fill in any gaps.

As summer turns to the season of harvest, greet it with a wreath of dried wheat! These golden stalks are wrapped with floral tape around a thin wire frame in bunches of three for a sleek silhouette. A hand-lettered “Welcome” is the final touch across the burlap banner that can be customized with any message. I recommend assembling this wreath with a vacuum cleaner nearby, as the dried wheat tends to shed quite a bit during the wrapping process.

Statice

Let the statice completely dry on the DIY wreath form to avoid brittle stems.
Let the statice completely dry on the wreath form to avoid brittle stems.

A hearty flower that retains its shape and color from fresh plant to dried cutting, statice is both relatively inexpensive and forgiving to work with. Using floral tape and a small wreath frame, add each bunch of statice while keeping the flower heads close to the wreath frame. Once the circle is complete, wrap a gingham ribbon around it and finish with a sweet bow.

Cotton and Grapevine

The brown star shapes are the same pods but without the fluffy cotton. Intersperse these throughout the DIY wreath for variety.
The brown star shapes are the same pods but without the fluffy cotton. Intersperse these throughout the arrangement for variety.

Nothing says “farmhouse” quite like the cotton stem. The dried plant is elegant, earthy and easy to work with. I started this wreath by pulling a pre-made grapevine wreath in half for a less bulky look and securing the new, thinner form with wire. Next, striped linen cut into ribbons with pinking shears was wound through the vines, and cotton pods were placed over the lower half of the wreath.

Make a DIY wreath to complete your entryway this fall.

 

 

 

DIY, DIY project, Fall, fall decor, fall wreath, Kris Christensen, Wreath