Christmas Wreath Making Tips From WORM London

There’s so many things to preoccupy craft lovers at Christmas but surely making your own festive wreath comes out top – aside from anything edible, obviously.

But knowing what plants to pick or even how to start a bind (we’ll get to it…) doesn’t come as a given to everyone, so we enlisted the help of the incredible floral duo behind WORM London to give us their tips and tricks for wreath making this Christmas.

And they really delivered…

6 Tips & tricks for Christmas Wreath Making:

1.Back to base-ics
There are so many different bases you can choose for your wreaths, from minimal copper rings to huge rustic vines, neither one is better than the other but Worm say that “your personality always comes out in your wreath,” so go for what feels right for you and your home. Worm say their favourites are classically ring shaped “natural bases, like willow vine as they’re easily adjustable for wall or door wreaths and you can order them online.” They also look fantastic, (which helps) and are typically incredibly sturdy.

2. Pick your plants properly
Worm’s number one tip when it comes to wreath-making is to make sure you “use materials that will dry out well or are already dried – pines, firs, eucalyptus etc. are all great.” This will save your wreath from starting to rot or wilt and you may even see some beautiful colour changes, for example with thistles starting to brown. Typically Worm’s style mean they lean towards foliage and muted tones to really get that rustic Christmassy appeal but they say that a little bit of crystal bling and/or strips of linen or ribbon can add an extra something special, as well as plants like pampas grass, honesty plants, pine cones and twigs for detailing. The main idea though is to layer your wreath with “greenery first, then add your details,” according to Worm.

3. Start with an L
While it’s tempting to just start shoving things into your base and hope for the best, which by all means do, Worm say that mapping out a “classic L-shape” on your ring base is a good place to start as it gives a “natural flow.”

4. Don’t cut your wire
Once you have your base, your greenery sorted and an idea of your shape, the fun can really begin by starting your bind. Worm suggest “adding smaller bits of greenery at about 20-30 cm so it isn’t overwhelming.” Then to officially start your bind, Worm explain to “keep the wire on the real and take it around the wreath base. Keeping the wire length small and close to yourself and your garland add your material, bind around and pull to secure and tighten – then you don’t ever need to cut the wire and your wreath will be really secure.” From there you’ll just be constantly layering and pulling your wire tight as you add more and more to it. Then when you’re done, just finish it like you would a stitch.

5. Build your shape
Once you’ve got a the greenery on your wreath, Worm say to “choose a focal point to build on, we always like a little off centre. Then add details in a cluster. Play with angles, diagonally or coming out even further than your wreath base.” For things like pine cones or “anything that doesn’t have a stems,” Worm advise you to “push the wire through and make it a fake stem by looping and twisting the wire around, it can then go into the bind like anything else would.”

6. Moss is the answer to everything
If you’ve finished your wreath to your liking but have a load of glaringly obviously wiring – moss, moss is your friend here. Worm say “moss is actually beautiful, you can weave it in and at least it covers your mess too.”