Mahalo for joining us for a PALAI Wreath Making Workshop! This "virtual handout" has tips to creating your wreath and things to keep in mind. Please refrain from copying or distributing this handout beyond the workshop.
Wreath Making Tips
Wrapping the base with Burlap
- Use 2 pins to secure at the start, and wrap around the base slightly overlapping the previous section.
- Repeat until the entire wreath base is covered.
Wrapping the base with Tī Leaves
- Shiny side out
- Lead with the curved edge of the leaf
- Fold one corner of the leaf, and pin it to the back of the wreath base
- Wrap the leaf around the base, slightly overlapping the curved edge until it finishes on the backside of the wreath base. Repeat the previous step and pin both the most recent leaf corner and the newest leaf corner at the same time.
- Repeat until the entire wreath base is covered.
Adding in Foliage
- Color scheme & texture- Mix in different shades and textures of greenery to give the wreath dimension. Mix in dried elements to add contrast.
- Dried elements- Start the outermost section of the "floral moment" with something dried. This allows the floral moment to stand out against the green tī leaf base.
- Make small bundles that are mixed in color and texture, and pin the entire bundle in.
- Work outwards in. Overlap previous bundles to allow foliage to cover the pins
- Finishing the wreath- Focal point: At the end there will be a small section of pins. Cover this with a burlap or tī leaf bow, cluster of foliage, or other decorative element. This adds a focal point to the wreath, and conceals any remaining pins.
Finishing the Wreath- Concealed Wire Hanging Piece
- Cut a 3-inch piece of floral wire, fold it in half, and twist it until it is a 1.5 inch piece of floral wire, doubled up.
- Decide how you want your wreath to hang, find the point on the back of the wreath base where it needs to hang to be oriented correctly.
- Push 2 greening pins halfway into the wreath base about 3/4 in-1 inch apart, equidistant from the hanging point.
- Thread the floral wire through both pins, fold it back onto itself, and twist it onto itself to secure it.
- Push greening pins all the way into the base
- Make an X by adding in 2 more greening pins over the ones you just pushed in.
Care Tips
- There is little care needed to keep your wreath lasting for years to come. Keep the wreath hanging in an area with airflow, and it will dry nicely.