DIY Ribbon Wreath

By
Lauren Thomann
Lauren Thomann
Lauren Thomann
Lauren Thomann is a jewelry and antiques expert, sharing over 15 years of hands-on experience with DIY jewelry, gemstones, heirlooms, as well as home renovation projects. Her businesses, Ageless Heirlooms and Heirlooms at Home, focus on antiques. Lauren has also studied at the Gemological Institute of America.
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Updated on 09/22/20
diy ribbon wreath

The Spruce / Lauren Thomann

Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $15

Ribbon wreath DIYs are an inexpensive way to make your entryway look custom, and they are the perfect option for beginners. The wreath shown here is foolproof and inexpensive to make. Follow the tutorial to make a sparkling holiday ribbon that will work through the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Scissors
  • Dropcloth

Materials

  • Wire wreath base
  • 5 spools gold glitter ribbon, 9 feet long and 2 inches thick
  • 5 spools silver glitter ribbon, 9 feet long and 2 inches thick

Instructions

  1. Prep the Work Area

    Prep your area in advance. Glitter ribbon is ideal for this project because the frayed ends are camouflaged with the glitter, so you don’t need to worry about cutting each end of the ribbon precisely. However, it makes a huge mess. Put down a drop cloth and keep pets and small children out of reach so they don’t try to eat the excess glitter. 

    ribbon wreath step 1
    The Spruce / Lauren Thomann

  2. Cut the Ribbon

    Cut the ribbon into sections that are between 2 and 3 inches long. Next, cut the ribbon down the center. By cutting the ribbon in half, you double the amount of ribbon, which will save you money.

    Tip

    To make this project go faster, cut a good portion of your ribbon before starting the knots. This way, you don’t need to jump back and forth between cutting and knotting. Use a sharp pair of craft scissors for the best results, but don’t worry too much about straight edges. 

  3. Tie a Knot Around the Wreath Base

    The main component of this wreath are hundreds of knots. Take your first piece of ribbon and wrap it around the outer rim of the base. Tie the ribbon into a tight knot and pull the end pieces upward. The knot can be a single knot as opposed to a double knot since this ribbon is not easily unraveled. 

    This wreath isn’t going to look like much until you have dozens of knots, so don’t worry if your wreath looks funny at first. Take breaks as needed, and stretch your hands if they cramp up from all the knotting.

    ribbon wreath step 2
    The Spruce / Lauren Thomann

  4. Alternate Ribbon Colors

    The wreath base is broken off into sections that are separated by a vertical bar. Once you fill the entire top row of one section, move to the section below it and add a row of the opposite color ribbon. Working in sections like this makes it easier to see and access the row you’re working on. 

    Tip

    Don’t worry if your ribbon pieces aren’t the same exact length. You might even want to intentionally cut some ribbon at 2 inches and some ribbon at 3 inches to add some more depth to the wreath.

    how to make a ribbon wreath
    The Spruce / Lauren Thomann

  5. Shape the Ribbon as Desired

    Once you have a complete section done, form and shape the ribbon to your desire. If there is a spot that looks less full, fluff up the ribbon in that area. The great thing about working with this glitter ribbon is that it is highly pliable. 

    Tip

    When you’re done, fold up the drop cloth to gather the excess glitter at the center of the cloth and pour the remaining glitter into an empty jar, so you can use it for a different craft project. 

    finished ribbon wreath diy
    The Spruce / Lauren Thomann

  6. Add a Hook and Hang

    If you have a hook on your door, you can hang the wreath from the wireframe or you can add a simple hanger made of ribbon to the back. If you want to add more detail, consider using garden wire to attach some gold and silver ornaments throughout the wreath. 

    ribbon wreath tutorial final
    The Spruce / Lauren Thomann