Magnolia Leaf Wreath (A Tutorial)

I'm showing you how to make your very own magnolia leaf wreath. You know the kind. The big, beautiful, full, lush, kind made from the big leaves of a southern Magnolia tree. One of two things are going to happen. 1.) You'll be totally inspired and start harvesting leaves directly or 2.) You will run screaming for the hills.

This is why the 'big companies' charge SO much for this type of wreath. On a scale of 1-5, I give it a four, but only on the time consuming end, it is actually very easy to construct. I'm going to show you how. If you chose number one read on. :)

Now you guys know I love a wreath, my Etsy Shop is full of them, but I wanted to try my hand at this sort of wreath. Typically, I like investing my time in something that is going to last several years (which is why I specialize in permanent botanicals) but I have been wanting to expand into drieds and thought this is the perfect time.

Supplies you will need:

Magnolia leaves, fresh (from tree) and dried (fallen)

Paddle wire, 22 gauge

Wire cutters

14 " wreath form

Time

Patience

First of all, collect leaves from the ground. At this time of year they are all over. Also, involve your kids. Logan helped me A LOT and totally had a ball.
We filled Walmart bags and spent about 45 minutes picking up leaves.

To make a 28" wreath I'll give you the numbers:

I made fifty bundles of six leaves. 4 brown and two green. That's 300 leaves. If you are wondering, I did not count as we gathered, I counted bundles after (specifically for this tute). It took me about and hour and a half to make all the bundles.

(Thanks to Keegan who took pictures for me)

I'm working outside (I told you it's been really mild) where there is plenty of room. Magnolia leaves are so perfect for making a wreath because the stems act as little handles and allow the wire a place to be. (Does that make sense?)

I started with four browns and put two greens on top and wire together at the stem
Pardon my ugly 'working hands'. :)

I moved inside when the sun went down and worked right on the counter. This is when the process speeds up considerably.

Wire on the first bundle of leaves. Wire on another bundle right next to it. Then repeat. 50 times. Wire it on the the wreath as tight as you can, keeping them close, creating a full look.

Just keep swimming wiring...

Just keep going around the wreath. You may not believe me, but it really does happen, it just naturally shapes itself as you work around, it's really neat. You'll see.

This is the view from the back. You can see all the wire from the bundles. At this point, snip off the excess wire, to give it a neat look (even though no one see the back:) It took maybe another thirty minutes to wire on the bundles.

You are done! It's ready to hang. I did put a 'loop' of wire on the back so it hangs at the right height on the wreath holder. Step back and admire your handiwork. You did it!

I think with some care, this will last for some time, although I'm sure the green will eventually fade to brown. So just under three hours, a wreath is born {Whoa!}. Just to give you a point of reference, I can usually crank out a silk wreath in about thirty minutes. :)

All in all, I am tickled pink with the result and really happy I tried to do this. I hope you'll give it a try too.

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