This Valentine heart wreath starts as a plain wire heart and a few packs of rope. By the end of an afternoon it is a full, fluffy wreath in red gingham and burlap, ready for the front door. The design comes from Melanie Ferguson of the Melanie Ferguson - DIY Home Decor channel, and nearly every supply came from Dollar Tree.
Valentine heart wreath supplies and swaps
You need a wire heart wreath frame, about three packs of jute or nautical rope, two spools of red gingham wired ribbon, one spool of burlap ribbon, a short piece of heart print ribbon for the bow, jute twine for the hanger, a hot glue gun and sharp scissors.
No rope? Wrap the frame in strips of an old flannel shirt or a fat yarn. Any wired ribbon about 2.5 inches wide works in place of the gingham. Leftover Christmas plaid in red works too.
Sizes and measurements
The frame Melanie used is about 14 inches across. Cut the ribbon pieces about 8 inches long. Glue them roughly an inch apart, or every second or third rope wrap. Cut the burlap the same length. If your frame is smaller, cut 6 inch pieces so the ruffle stays in proportion.
How long it takes
Plan on two to three hours. The rope wrap takes about an hour. The ribbon loops take another hour, and the burlap, bow and hanger go fast. You can stop after the rope and finish another day.
Who it suits
It is a cheerful front door wreath from late January to Valentine's Day. It also makes a sweet gift for a daughter, a neighbor or a spouse. A smaller one hangs well over a grandchild's bed or on a classroom door for the party.
Heart wreath variations
- Colours. Pink and white gingham reads softer. Red and pink together look playful.
- A message. Hang a small wood sign that says XOXO or Be Mine in the middle.
- Kid-friendly. Let a child cut the notches in the ribbon tails while you do the glue. Or skip glue on the gingham and tie the pieces on with a single knot.
- Year round. Swap the gingham for green in March or blue in summer.
For a fuller bow on top, see how to make a bow for a wreath.
Troubleshooting
- Ran out of rope. You likely wrapped too tight. Glue the new piece on the back and carry on.
- Ribbon loops sag. Wired ribbon holds its shape. Plain ribbon droops, so switch to wired.
- Gaps in the ruffle. Cut one or two more pieces and tuck them in. Melanie did the same at the bottom tip.
- Glue on your fingers. A low temp glue gun and silicone finger caps save a lot of sore thumbs.
Storing it for next year
Hang it under a covered porch so rain does not flatten the ribbon. After the holiday, slip it into a large bag or a wreath box and store it flat. Fluff the loops again next January and it looks new.
Want more wreaths? Start with how to make a wreath, try an everyday door wreath, or make a quick paper wreath with the grandkids.
