Boo! One Batty Wreath!

Halloween is upon us! What better way to bring in the spooky season by making  fun and festive Decor!

Michael’s had advertised wreaths… they were $60-$70! Not only were they expensive, they were … not that pretty Yes, I said it. Michael’s has not so pretty wreaths – right now.

Anyway, I decided I wanted to make something of my own, and something different than what I have seen around town or the net.

After using several coupons, buying sale items and using some items I already had around the house, I came up with this Bat-tacular wreath for about $20.00!

Things you Need:

• Wire Wreath Frame – I purchased mine at Michael’s (use your 40% off coupon online or from the flyer)
• Wired Ribbon (Michael’s)
• Needle/Thread
• Regular Scissors/Fabric Scissors
• Straight Pins
• Panty hose (yes panty hose! Patterned black works perfectly)
• Black Tulle
• Small Swarovski Crystal Beads
• Black Felt
• Cardboard (an old cereal box will do)
• Pencil
• Wire

This is what it will look like when it’s finished!

What to do!

Using your wired ribbon, completely cover the wire wreath. Stitch top of ribbon to wreath using a needle and thread.

Set wreath aside. Time to create your bats.

Create your bat stencil. Use a template online,print and cut it out; or draw your own bat straight onto the cardboard .Cut out bat template from cardboard.

Grab your black tool and roll it out onto a flat surface.

 Fold tulle, creating several layers ( accordion fold without making it accordion).

Make sure the width of the tulle leaves enough room for you stencil’s wing span. Continue to fold the opposite direction, vertically. Basically, make sure you have many many many layers of tulle. The more layers = more bats!

 Pin stencil down and start cutting out your bat.

Place first bat down onto a flat surface, continue layering bats, staggering them so they look like they are in flight. Usually 10-15  tulle bats = 1 single bat.

Using your stencil, trace and cut out bats out of your black felt. Cut out as many bats as needed, you only need one black felt bat  as your backing.

Using the swarovski crystal beads, sew on eyes for your winged friends – all wreaths need some bling!

He can see now! 🙂

Using scrap panty hose, cut one leg of the hose off, and the toe piece. Cut the hose once more from the back length wise (enough that you can wrap the hose around the wreath – showing the pattern off.

From around the back, pull and stretch the panty hose. Fold and roll tight, add several stitches as you go.

I only used the panty hose on half of my wreath, but you can do the whole thing. This is what it will look like as a “two face” wreath.

Using your wire, wire bats to the wreath. Go through the ribbon and twist to the wreath frame.

I’m sure you’ll go batty over your festive Halloween Wreath!

Happy Halloween!