My favourite fall wheat wreath that you can make out of rye or any other grains or grasses. You just need some wire, dried grasses and a dream. Actually, dream not necessary, but you will need about an hour.
There are certain things I like about fall. I like raking leaves, the chill in the air and the fact that I don't have to cut my grass. There are other things I don't like about fall. I don't like raking leaves or the chill in the air or the fact that I don't get to cut my grass.
I'm a complex person. I blame it on not wearing a helmet as a child.
What I have for you today is all kinds of simple. There's nothing complex about it and you can make it in about an hour provided you don't get distracted by rustling leaves blowing down the street. Or street rustlers as they're known 'round these parts.
How to make a wheat wreath.
(in its simplest form)
Told you. Simple. I had this wreath up on my door for no more than 15 minutes before a neighbour stopped in her tracks and came up to inspect it. She loved it. I should possibly mention I actually called her over to look at the wreath and stared at her expectantly like a Kindergartener holding up their latest finger painting. But still. I believe her reaction was genuine. She couldn't fake that look of delight.
She, (my neighbour) as you might have guessed is a minimalist. But I think this wreath works for anyone, not just someone who has an appreciation for Charles Eames. And finger painting.
I'm not opposed to big HUGE full wheat wreaths, but this one has a certain understated elegance to it.
DIY WHEAT WREATH
Materials (all measurements are for my wreath, change as suits you)
- 1, 58" long length of wire.
- 44 sprigs of wheat
- Floral wire
- Hot glue (or other)
Assembly
- Shape your piece of wire into a circle allowing the ends to overlap by around 2". It's easiest to get a perfect circle if you wrap the wire around something. I used the base of a BBQ propane tank.
- Wrap the floral wire around both ends to hold the circle in place. You now have the base for your wreath.
3. If you're using a wheat sheaf like I did to steal some wheat sprigs from, just pull them out of random places in the sheaf. Once you pull them out, you won't even know they're gone from the sheaf. Stealing 44 sprigs makes no difference to the structure of the wheat sheaf at all.
4. Layer individual sprigs of wheat starting at the very centre of the left side of your wire circle. Alternate your placement of the sprigs so they aren't in a perfectly straight line. Wire sprigs in place.
5. Continue placing and wiring until you get to the bottom centre of the wreath.
6. Once you're at the bottom centre, wire the wheat stalks up the right side to help cover the wire.
7. Starting at the right centre of the wreath, repeat placing and wiring the sprigs until you get to the bottom centre again.
8. Hide the leftover stalks by wiring them on the backside of the wreath like before.
9. Snip off any long stalks that are left.
10. Stick small pieces of wheat to cover the bare spot you'll have at the centre and wire tightly.
11. Hot glue a strand or two of wheat stalk around the exposed piece of wire at the centre of the wreath.
Your simple wreath is done.
TIP:
There are two kinds of wheat. Wheat that has those long hair like things coming out of them (called awns), and hairless. Wheat awns have barbs as a way to protect the plant from being eaten by animals.
If you have a cat or dog that likes to chew on things these will get stuck in their mouth and throat so BE CAREFUL with any wheat around your pets.
Fall Wheat Wreath DIY.
An easy to make simple fall wreath made out of wheat, rye or whatever dried grasses you can get your hands on.
Materials
- 1, 58″ long length of wire
- 44 sprigs of wheat
- Floral wire
- Hot glue (or other)
Instructions
- Shape your piece of wire into a circle allowing the ends to overlap by around 2″. It’s easiest to get a perfect circle if you wrap the wire around something. I used the base of a BBQ propane tank.
- Wrap the floral wire around both ends to hold the circle in place. You now have the base for your wreath.
- If you’re using a wheat sheaf like I did to steal some wheat sprigs from, just pull them out of random places in the sheaf. Once you pull them out, you won’t even know they’re gone from the sheaf. Stealing 44 sprigs makes no difference to the structure of the wheat sheaf at all.
- Layer individual sprigs of wheat starting at the very centre of the left side of your wire circle. Alternate your placement of the sprigs so they aren’t in a perfectly straight line. Wire sprigs in place.
- Continue placing and wiring until you get to the bottom centre of the wreath.
- Once you’re at the bottom centre, wire the wheat stalks up the right side to help cover the wire.
- Starting at the right centre of the wreath, repeat placing and wiring the sprigs until you get to the bottom centre again.
- Hide the leftover stalks by wiring them on the backside of the wreath like before.
- Snip off any long stalks that are left.
- Stick small pieces of wheat to cover the bare spot you’ll have at the centre and wire tightly.
- Hot glue a strand or two of wheat stalk around the exposed piece of wire at the centre of the wreath.
Wanna skip past fall and go straight to Halloween? Here's a good Halloween wreath tutorial. I've actually just been wondering if Halloween is going to be cancelled this year. I suppose it probably will be.
Get your straw, make your wreath and remember ... always wear a helmet.
Does the mailbox beside your front door need to be painted black?
Ha! It possibly does. I used to have a lot of pure white on my porch and a bit on the house which is why when I first bought it I got white. ~ karen!
The wreath positively pops against the black door. So gorgeous, and simple to boot. Also, I am aghast (AGHAST!!) that the owners stole the fox knocker. Glad you're ballsy enough to get it back. ;)
There were NOT getting away with taking my door knocker, lol. ~ karen!
Did not know that about pets and the wheat “awns”. Thanks for the tip.
It was experience that led me to know this! :/ ~ karen!
I still love this minimalistic wreath!
Maybe it is time to use the bits of wheat from my wedding cake from 33 years ago and saved lo these many years. Coming up on 8 years divorced, so it’s time, eh?
Life is good!
Your wedding cake was made from wheat heads??! ~ karen!
LOL! No, just decorated with wheat from my Dad’s farm. Wheat heads added into the flower posy on the top...I loved it! Pissed off the mother-in-law, now ex, of course. She thought it looked...something not classy...but definitely not up to her standards! She knew I wanted it, that my parents had brought it, it was laying right there, but she wouldn’t allow the cake decorator to put it in. So I did. Before any photos were taken!
Still makes me mad to think of it - 33 years later. Maybe time to get over it?!
My initial 'fall wreath' idea was to use some copper tubing and flashing I have but having just come back (uh.... August 7??) from the land of my ancestors (Norway, where they call Canada 'South' ;) Your version of this fall wheat wreath spoke to me as wheat is part of our Christmas decorating as well... heading to Michaels' next week!
I like being thought of as a Southerner for once. :) ~ karen!
Here is my version of your fab wreath!
I just finished making my version of this gorgeous wreath. Mental note....don't use fishing line instead of florist wire ....it's invisible and a pain to work with.
I did find a wire circle at Michaels ..they come in many sizes and (with a coupon) are cheap!!
Love love all your ideas! And your writing...and your house...
I wondered if Michaels might carry wires! If you're proud enough, upload a photo of your wreath. i'm sure it's great! ~ karen
Very nice...now I want your door knocker!
Funny story! When I bought my house they took the door knocker. I called my real estate agent and demanded it back, lol. I got it. ;) ~ karen!
I can’t make out the door know let in the pic.
Hi Rhonda. It's a brass fox. ~ karen!
Dumb question but where do you buy the wheat?
I’d like to know the answer as well! They are beautiful!
Who of your constant readers can say "Wheat Wreath" ten times and not get their tongue in a bind? Good Luck!
Karen I just can not wait for each morning to get all the ideas you send. However I love to make and do the things that you post but unable to because of monetary drawbacks. Not only that, but the stilted community I live in does not have the necessary things that enable me to complete each project...... Such wimpies. Carry on because I enjoy each task you complete.
Thanks Christina! You could make a *very* similar wreath for free by using a wire coat hanger for the wire and roadside weeds/grasses for the wheat. You'd just need floral wire which is about $3. Just make sure you spend a good amount of time getting the kinks out of the coat hanger otherwise it'll just look icky. I'm off to carry on now. ;) ~ karen!
Read your post about the Halloween wreath.....getting the stuff to make it today....also gonna try to find me some wheat!! Love your blog!