Sewing notion wreath

amakinglife.com.au

General guidelines

Whether you choose to collect vintage objects, or use modern items it doesn’t matter. the key to making this wreath work is thatit is eclectic and different - if you try to hard to make things match it just won’t work. I did try to stay within a general colour palette with this one. Which was pink, blues and a touch of brown and wood.

Collect the items together that you think you will use before you start, to see if you are happy with the way the “pile” of goodies looks. You can add butons to tone down strong colours and add small items to make larger items look less like a block of colour especially when you start adding the cotton reels

It is impossible to be more specific as everybody will have different supplies. To me part of the attraction is that no two wreaths will be the same.

Glue

An absolute must is that you have to use a hot glue gun. No other option will work well - trust me I have tried and failed miserably. You need the glue to dry quickly otherwise the items will just fall off. My first try was a miserable mess as I tried to cut corners - I couldn’t find my gun!! In the end I went and bought a new one.....

Use good quality glue, it really does make life easier.

Wreath

I used a round polystyrene wreath with a flat back. The one in the picture was 12 incles in diameter, but this is your choice. I find the flat back ones are great for hanging. Once I have added the paper I lie mine flat on the table to add my items, that way I know the finished wreath will lie flat against the wall.

Materials

This is a general guideline only.

Polystyrene wreath approximately 12 inches (30cm) in diameterPaper pattern torn into strips and small pieces3-5 pieces of tape measures (preferably different kinds and colours)Strips of fabric and lace3-5 pin wheels3-4 pairs of old scissors3-4 tools e.g button hooks, perforating wheel, lace bobbins (only if you can find them)Strips of hooks and eyes, old needle packetsAssorted buttonsSmall items e.g. thimbles, sewing machine foots, needle threadersLong pearl headed hat pinsTwill or ribbon to act as a hanging loopPVA glueHot glue gun and glue sticks

Step 4Place the pin wheels first. I used 3 but you can use more, an odd number is better than an even one.

Step 1Cover the styrene wreath with an old pattern using PVA glue. Work in sections by putting glue on the wreath placing some torn pattern on top then covering the pattern with glue. Overlap each area as you work around the wreath. When it is completely covered allow it to dry before you start deocrating. Overnight is ideal. I hung mine on a hook so it didn’t stick to the table!!

Step 2Tear some strips of fabric and some lace and place them around the wreath.

Step 3You can tie some of the strips or stick them in place.

I pleated some of my fabric to add some dimension and don’t completely cover the wreath in fabric as you will lose the pattern underneath.

Step 5Start building up the pin wheels with button stacks and even thimbles or small items.

Step 6Cut strips of fabric and tie around cotton reels, either empty ones or full. This can also disguise thread you aren’t too keen on.

Sewing notion wreath instructions

Step 10I gradually build up each section until they meet and fill in the gaps with perhaps a tool or some cotton reels and buttons.

Step 7I start adding different items of interest by working in sections. I don’t completerly fill each section. I work on different sections at a time.

Cut strips of tape measure and interweave them through some items. I stick one end down then in the middle and then the end. That way it seems to curl through the wreath a bit like ribbon.

Step 8Add buttons to fill in gaps and add dimension and interest to cotton reels. I have added a needle threader and an old sewing foot to the pin wheel here, and even an old bobbin.

Step 9Cut a length of twill or ribbon where you think the top will be, this acts as the hanging loop. I do this about halfway through as the wreath has started to gain shape but I still have room to add the hanger

Scissors can be pushed through a gap, make sure the pointy ends face towards the centre, you can glue them shut.

Step 11I don’t cover every part of the wreath but I do make sure that the items go around the edge both inside and out.

Step 12As you get close to finishing take a step back and place extra items and look at them before glueing them - sometimes “less is more” and it is easy to get carried away.

Step 13

Fill in any remaining gaps with buttons and then I added large pearl headed hat pins to make it look like a pincushion.

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Copyright amakinglife 2017

I hope you enjoy making this a much as I did and that it takes pride of place in you sewing room. Please share your finished wreath by tagging @amakinglife or adding it to facebook at www.facebook/amakinglife or to the Australian Sewing Design Inspiration page. I can’t wait to see them all.