Fast and Easy Fall Wreath with Burlap Folds and Silk Flowers

This fall wreath is covered in little folded burlap pleats, topped with a cluster of silk flowers and finished with a burlap bow and a burlap loop for hanging. It uses scraps-friendly materials, comes together in an afternoon, and looks right on a front door from September through Thanksgiving.

Here are the answers to what most people ask before they start.

What do you need to make a burlap fall wreath?

The supply list is short:

• 1 plain wreath form
• 1/3 yard of burlap
• Assorted silk flowers in fall colors
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Scissors, and a needle and thread or a stapler

Hot glue gets very hot, so take care with your fingers, and keep the glue gun away from children.

How do you cut the burlap?

Cut nine strips in total from the 1/3 yard:

• Six strips, 2 inches by 12 inches, for the folded pleats
• Two strips, 2.5 inches by 18 inches, for the hanging loop and the tie
• One strip, 1.5 inches by 18 inches, for the bow

Burlap frays at the edges, so cut with sharp scissors and expect a few loose threads. They add to the rustic look.

How do you make the folded burlap base?

1. Fold one 2 by 12 inch strip in half.
2. Take the front end and slide it toward the back so the fold forms a small loop or pleat.
3. Run a line of hot glue along the inside bottom edge to hold the two sides together.
4. Repeat with the other five strips.
5. Glue the pleats onto the wreath form, one beside the next, in a cluster. Use plenty of glue so each one is stuck firmly to the form.

Burlap is light, but a loose pleat will droop once the wreath hangs, so press each one down for a few seconds while the glue sets.

How do you attach the flowers?

Snip the plastic nubs off the backs of the silk flowers so they sit flat. Before gluing anything, lay the flowers on the burlap and move them around until the colors and sizes look balanced. A larger bloom in the middle with smaller ones tucked around it usually works well. Once you are happy, glue each flower in place.

How do you add the hanging loop and bow?

1. Take one 2.5 by 18 inch strip and lay it horizontally against the top of the wreath.
2. Wrap the second 2.5 by 18 inch strip around both the horizontal strip and the wreath, and tie it in a knot.
3. Trim the ends of the tied strip.
4. Tie the 1.5 by 18 inch strip into a bow and glue it over the knot.
5. Join the two ends of the horizontal strip to make a loop, by sewing them together. A stapler also works if you are short on time.

Hang the loop over a wreath hook or a nail on the door, and the wreath is ready.

Can you change the look?

Yes. Choose flowers in deep red, orange, mustard and cream for a classic autumn look, or use only one color for a softer, modern feel. You can also glue the pleats around the whole form instead of one section, or add small faux leaves between the flowers. Whatever you pick, the same folded burlap technique and glued loop will hold it together.

What mistakes should you avoid?

• Skimping on glue under the pleats, which lets them flop.
• Skipping the layout step, then peeling off flowers that are already stuck down.
• Leaving the plastic nubs on the flowers, which keeps them from sitting flat.
• Making the hanging loop too short to fit over your hook.