Every girl needs a DIY autumn wreath for her first apartment! Last weekend I had fun with my sister-in-law, Chelsea, as she made her very first wreath. Just like my Mom helped me make mine ($10 DIY Autumn Wreath, anyone?) last year.

After seeing how awesome hers turned out, I looked over to her with puppy dog eyes and asked, “would you mind if I share your wreath on Fancy Fork?” Of course, she said yes and there you go, that’s the story of how this wreath got its name!

Here’s the finished product, with its designer… Miss Chelsea! There are a few things that stand out about this wreath. First, the colors. They’re muted and soft, and can easily transfer from fall into winter. And because of the hydrangea sprinkled throughout the wreath, she can probably get away with keeping it up for spring and summer. Now THAT’S what I call wise crafty spending!

Making wreaths is always a mess, as you can see. But that was the fun part. Arranging flowers (notice in step #6 below I recommend doing this), then shaking them off and starting again… inspired by another pattern of colors and textures in your head.

But when you finally step back and see that final arrangement, complete PERFECTION in your eyes, nothing beats it. And you know that it’s an original, one-of-a-kind wreath that you’ll never see for purchase in the store. And definitely not for the $20 that you spent on supplies.

And so, I do believe I converted Chelsea into making seasonal wreaths, and to stay away from the manufactured, assembly line ones. And with that, I’m immensely proud and happy to announce… I have another crafting buddy!!

DIY Chelsea’s Fall Flowers Wreath

Supplies

• 1 12″ Styrofoam wreath (note: make your wreath as big or small as you like)
• 1 roll of burlap (we used a package of Michael’s Burlap Fabric Trim)
• 2 bunches of large flowers that have dark accent (pictured: light brownish flowers)
• 4 bunches of off-white hydrangea flowers
• Shimmery ribbon, wired
• Bobby pins
• Sharp scissors or wire cutters

Directions

1. First, take any stickers off your flowers and wreath.
2. Roll the burlap around the wreath, making sure not to overlap layers too much (will be harder to press flowers into the styrofoam if you do). When you reach the end, tuck the burlap end under one of the layers (no pins or glue needed!).
3. Pluck the leaves off all your flowers (they should come right off). Set aside in a pile.
4. Using sharp scissors or wire cutters, snip all of the flowers, leaving about 3 or 4 inches of stem.
5. Categorize your leaves and flowers by type – this will make decorating easy!
6. Before you pin any flowers down, pick up flowers from your piles and arrange them in a design you like. Make sure you leave room at the top for a ribbon and hook.
7. Once you perfected your flowers, press the first flower into the styrofoam. You may have to wiggle it through the burlap, but it’ll go through.
8. Repeat with all of your flowers.
9. Fill in your wreath with the leaves you set aside. Push a bobby pin through the center of the leaf bunch; there should be one from where you plucked it off the stem. This makes it easy to press into the styrofoam and act as an anchor. (Tip: As you do this step, hold your wreath up every now and then to access the design … aka: make sure it looks PRETTY!)
10. Finally, make a large bow out of the shimmery ribbon. Crunch up the dangling ribbon to give it some texture.
11. And last but not least, hang that beauty on your door and show the whole world you’re crafty!