I designed this Christmas wreath idea after accidentally felting one of my eldest’s green wool jumpers (100% pure wool should not be washed in a washing machine, just sayin’!).
Make a holly leaf template from paper about 2.5 inches from end to end. Trace your template on some felt using a fabric marker. I picked up this lovely green felt from my local charity shop for just £1! Trace out 70 leaves.
In a contrasting thread, outline each of the holly leaves using the zig zag stitch on your sewing machine.
Cut out the leaves, snipping carefully on the outside edge of the zig zag stitching.
Form a roughly 8 inch diameter braid using three strips of the felt. Sew the ends together to form a circle.
Hand sew one row of leaves facing outward at a counter clockwise angle around the outside edge of the braid.
Hand sew another row of holly leaves facing inwards slightly with the leaf base overlapping the inside edge of the outer row. Make sure the right side of the leaves are facing down.
Turn the leaves so that the face upwards and the base seam is hidden. Using a single small stitch for each leaf, fasten them into place.
Sew the bases of two holly leaves together. Do this three times.
Sew the double leaves onto the front of the wreath, one at the top inner edge and the other two at the sides, so that they cover the base of the middle layer of holly leaves. Sew a bow onto the bottom (I find chocolate box bows work very well for this!)
Fasten a hook from a ribbon and sew it onto the back. Hang and enjoy! You can also embellish the front of the wreath with small bells, coloured beads or other decorations as you prefer. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. 🙂
Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home, for now. One eye is always on the horizon.
darren longthorne says
this looks quite easy – good article 🙂
Debbie Skerten says
I love this. I would never have never have worked out how to make it. Another one to add to my list to do. lol x
KATE SARSFIELD says
Lovely idea! Make a nice tablemat type thing around a candle for the big day. I always make my own wreath for the front door – labour-intensive but always worth the effort. The problem is knowing when to stop!
Joy says
It’s wonderful, so simple and clever. I love it. It makes me want to delve into the dank, dark depths of my under-the-stairs cupboard to find my sewing machine!
But surely it is holly, not mistletoe?
J x
Elizabeth says
I’m glad you like it, and thanks for the comment! You’re absolutely correct, it IS holly – I must have had mistletoe on the brain yesterday!