Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Braided Rope Spring Wreath

I love the look of anything braided! It's such a simple way to create interesting patterns. So when this month's Pinterest Challenge was all about Spring Wreaths, I knew I had to make something quite unique and different from the usual floral wreaths!

Imagine making a wreath out of braided rope! I first saw a braided rope wreath here on Pinterest and immediately thought the braiding didn't quite do the design or wreath justice. The braided rope was just too thin. So using thicker rope, and increasing the number of rope strands, I created a braided rope wreath anyone would have fun making! And the best part, it can be made in less than an hour, including adding embellishments to suit the season or occasion! It's the perfect way to impress anyone who sees it, too!

Materials Needed:

Jute Rope - 50ft 10mm
Heavy duty craft scissors or craft knife
Clear cellophane tape
Painter's tape
Clamps
Fabric glue
Cardboard
Pencil
Large round container or compass to draw circle
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Flower embellishments
Command strip for hanging

Disclosure I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

Instructions:

First, decide how large you want the wreath to be. I decided on 15 inches wide - which happen to be the diameter of the bowl I was using to make the circle. I couldn't find my compass to actually draw on a circle.

Then, begin by grouping the rope into three sections of three rope strands. To do this, start with a 50 feet length of rope and divide the 50' by 9 (strands) getting 5.5ft or 66 inches. More than enough to braid and cover the cardboard backing. Next, cut the rope into nine, 66 inch lengths. And tape the ends with clear tape to prevent fraying or unraveling. After taping, grouped the strands into three sections and secure the sections onto the work surface using painter's tape.

To begin braiding, take the left rope section over the middle rope section and then take the right section over the middle section. Almost like braiding or plaiting hair. Except you have to keep the rope strands flat as you braid.

Continue the same steps, crossing the left section over the middle section and crossing the right section over the middle section creating the braid.

Make sure to keep all the rope strands flat, and together, as you braid the same way, consistently.

Continue the braiding pattern until reaching the end of the ropes, making sure the end ropes are laying flat. Add fabric glue to the rope ends and areas around the ends to seal together and let dry.

While the rope ends are drying, make the cardboard wreath backing by using a large bowl or compass to draw a 15" circle on the cardboard.

Then measure 2 inches in, and draw another circle and . . .

cut out using a craft knife.

Once the glue on the rope has dried, place the braided rope on the cardboard, adjusting to fit flat. Cut off excess rope and . . .

adjust braided rope to fit onto cardboard, gluing the rope ends together and let dry.

Once satisfied with braided rope wreath placement, begin adding hot glue to cardboard in increments and press wreath onto cardboard, holding in place until glue dries.

Continue adding hot glue around the cardboard in increments and placing wreath on top to seal together until glue is dry . . .

until the braided rope wreath is completely secured . . .

to the cardboard.

Then begin adding floral embellishments . . .

for a decorative spring look!

Add a command strip to the back for hanging.

Now, it's time for the February Pin Challenge! The purpose of the Pinterest Challenge is to motivate us to not just pin, but to make it happen! This month's challenge is all about Spring Wreaths.