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All you need for this project is an embroidery hoop, floral wire, and a few springs of a leafy green or other embellishment.
You’ll also need a pair of side cutting pliers to trim the floral pieces and wire. Follow the steps below and scroll down for a list of tools and materials needed for this project.
Steps for Making a DIY Hoop Wreath
1. Finish the Hoop
- Apply stain to the embroidery hoop with a foam brush, and then wipe away any excess with a cloth.
- Separate the layers of the hoop and stain the remaining edges. Because I’ll be positioning my floral pieces over the hardware, I don’t mind if it gets stain on it, but you could always tape it off if you plan to leave the hardware exposed as an accent.
2. Size the Stems
- Using side-cutting pliers, trim pieces from a floral stem and layer them into a grouping.
- For an everyday design made using eucalyptus, I’m cinching the ends of two sprigs together to create one continuous accent.
Technique: When trimming floral stems, use bypass-style side-cutting pliers rather than anvil-type cutters. As the TOH team has demonstrated in pruning segments, a bypass blade makes a nice clean cut by having the sharp upper blade pass the lower blade, whereas anvil-style tools can crush the stem, preventing it from sitting flush against the hoop.
Pro Tip: If you’re using fresh-cut eucalyptus or other real greenery instead of faux stems, TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook recommends cutting at a 45-degree angle or more — “the more stem surface exposed, the more water the cut flower can absorb.” This same principle helps fresh wreath materials stay hydrated longer before they dry.
3. Attach the Stems to the Hoop
- Place the arrangement on the embroidery hoop. Using pliers, cut a piece of floral wire.
- Wrap the wire around the sprig and hoop to secure the pieces in place.
- Twist another wire near the tip of the stem to help it follow the shape of the hoop.
- Now layer on an embellishment (optional) and hold it in place with a piece of wire.
- Depending on what materials you’re using, you can also use a small block of floral foam or hot glue to secure additional pieces.
