How to Make Grape Vine Wreaths

[peterson]

How to Make Grape Vine Wreaths

Grapevine wreaths are available in varying sizes at most craft stores, however, you can make your own if you have access to a grapevine.
Cut the vines from the plant as soon as the grapes have been picked and/or before first frost.
Cut long lengths so that you can wrap long continuous coils. Snip off remaining leaves. You can leave on the little curly-cues for a nice effect on finished wreaths. If vines dry out and crack or break while wrapping, soak in water overnight. If you won't be able to wrap them right after cutting, coil them into a laundry basket, bucket or large tub. Then if soaking is needed, you can pour water right into the tub, and the vines will already have a coiled shape.
Begin your coil with the thickest end of one vine. Coil it into a circle a little smaller than you want your finished wreath to be. Use a short piece of wire to tie the first coil secure while you continue wrapping.
Wrap one entire length, twining the vine in and out around itself. Take the next vine - begin wrapping it in a different spot and wrap in and out in the opposite direction. Keep adding vines until the wreath is as thick as you want it. If needed, tie a short length of wire around the wreath at intervals to secure vines together.
I like to wrap my vines fairly loosely. This leaves me room to weave ribbons in and out of the vines easily, which adds a nice dimensional effect.

I use wild grape vines to make my wreaths.

[TheFrugalDiva]

I love doing this..I make wreaths for my own house...and for friends and family too....boy are we talking about a cheap...and yet beatiful, personal gift ! I also have wild grape vines growing all over the yard..so when it comes time tomake the wreaths..I get to do two jobs at once..gift making..and cleaning out the landscape all at the same time!

also I use the Wisteria vines for this.....the vines are not quite as cool....dont have all the cute lil curly-cues....but they still make great wreaths