What Supplies Do I Need To Make A Wreath? Beginner Checklist

If you are new to wreath making, figuring out what supplies you need to make a wreath can feel harder than the craft itself. There are different frames, deco mesh, ribbons, floral picks, signs, fasteners, and tools—but you do not need to buy every item to finish a beautiful wreath.

The easiest place to begin is with the type of wreath you want to make. A full deco mesh wreath uses different materials than a simple grapevine design, and a traditional evergreen wreath has its own needs.

Quick Answer: Most wreaths need a sturdy frame or base, a foundation material such as deco mesh or greenery, a way to secure the decorations, and basic tools such as scissors and wire cutters. Wired ribbon, wreath signs, bows, picks, ornaments, and other accents are popular additions, but the exact shopping list depends on your design.

Basic Wreath-Making Supply Checklist

Use this as a planning checklist, not a requirement to buy everything on the list:

• A wreath frame or base
• Deco mesh, greenery, ribbon, or another foundation material
• Wired ribbon for bows, tails, or accents
• Chenille stems, floral wire, or zip ties
• A wreath sign or another focal decoration
• Picks, sprays, flowers, or ornaments
• Scissors, wire cutters, and a ruler
• Optional hot glue gun and glue sticks

For example, a simple grapevine wreath might use just a base, greenery, ribbon, and floral wire. A layered sports deco mesh wreath may need mesh, ribbon, a wire frame, more fasteners, and a sign. You can browse wreath-making supplies by category when you know the style you want.

Planning your next wreath? Download our FREE Beginner Wreath Supply Shopping Checklist (PDF) to organize your supplies before you shop.

1. Choose a Wreath Frame or Base

The frame controls the wreath’s shape, support, and general appearance. Choose it before purchasing decorative materials so you know how much space you have to fill.

• Wire wreath frames: Flexible bases for deco mesh, ribbon, and layered designs.
• Frames with attached ties: Convenient for positioning mesh and ribbon bundles.
• Grapevine wreaths: Natural-looking bases that can remain partly exposed.
• Evergreen or pine bases: Full greenery bases that work with ribbon, picks, and ornaments.
• Teardrop or swag frames: Longer, vertical options for doors and narrow spaces.

A bare wreath frame is not the same measurement as the finished wreath. Mesh and bows can add inches to the outside diameter. Compare the total finished size with your door or display area, then browse wreath frames and forms.

2. Select a Foundation Material

The foundation gives the wreath its main shape, texture, and color. Deco mesh is popular for full, fluffy wreaths, while greenery, florals, or fabric can create a softer look. For grapevine designs, you may want to leave some of the natural vine visible rather than cover the entire base.

• Deco mesh: Creates volume and works well with poofs, ruffles, and curls.
• Greenery and faux flowers: Adds natural texture, especially to grapevine and evergreen designs.
• Burlap, fabric, or tulle: Can add rustic, soft, or airy effects.
• Ribbon: May be an accent or the primary decorative material, depending on the design.

If you plan to use mesh, browse deco mesh and read what type of deco mesh to use in a wreath before selecting a width or finish.

3. Choose Wired Ribbon for Bows and Accents

Wired ribbon is useful for wreath bows, loops, ribbon tails, and pops of color. The wire along the edges helps shaped ribbon hold its curves. Unwired ribbon can work for flatter or softer details but may not give a big statement bow the same support.

For many wreaths, two or three coordinated patterns are enough. A good combination is one solid color, one featured pattern, and one quieter accent.

Two popular widths are 2.5 inches for main bow loops and 1.5 inches for smaller layers or ribbon tails. Ribbon width is different from loop length: a 5-inch bow loop can be made from either width.

Explore wreath ribbon, or use our ribbon yardage guide to estimate how much to buy for your project.

4. Add a Sign or Another Focal Piece

A focal piece helps establish the wreath’s theme. It might be a wreath sign, a large bow, a floral cluster, a monogram, or a decorative attachment. You do not need a sign on every wreath.

For sports wreaths, consider choosing the sign first. Then coordinate the mesh, ribbon, picks, and ornaments with its colors. Keep the focal piece proportional to the finished wreath and make sure it remains visible after the bow and other decorations are added.

Browse wreath signs and see how to attach a sign to a wreath for tips on securing it to the frame.

5. Choose a Few Coordinating Decorative Accents

Picks, sprays, flowers, small ornaments, and attachments are optional, but they add texture, movement, and finishing detail. Choose accents that repeat the main colors or shapes already in your wreath.

• Floral picks and sprays: Add height, texture, or movement around a bow or sign.
• Ornaments: Work as small repeated accents and can support a sports or seasonal theme.
• Decorative attachments: Make a theme recognizable without adding extra ribbon patterns.
• Small bows: Can balance a wreath when the main bow is off-center.

Avoid filling every open area. A few coordinated pieces usually look better than decorations placed everywhere without a clear pattern.

6. Gather Fasteners and Attachment Supplies

Fasteners keep the wreath together. The correct choice depends on the frame, the material, and how heavy the item is.

• Chenille stems: Useful for mesh bunches, ribbon tails, and lightweight accents.
• Floral wire: A useful option for securing bows and many signs to a frame.
• Zip ties: Helpful when a stronger hold is needed and the attachment points allow them.
• Hot glue: Useful for stabilizing lightweight decorative pieces, but it should not be the only support for a heavy sign.

Whenever possible, secure a larger sign or attachment to the underlying wreath frame—not to a loose layer of mesh. Tuck sharp wire ends away from the back and trim zip-tie tails.

7. Keep Your Tool Kit Simple

A beginner does not need a room full of expensive tools. Start with scissors, wire cutters, a measuring tape, and a protective work surface. Depending on the project, needle-nose pliers and a hot glue gun may help.

Use wire cutters—not your best ribbon scissors—to cut floral wire or metal stems. A rotary cutter and mat, bow maker, or specialty mesh tools are optional upgrades once you know what you enjoy making.

See our wreath-making tools for commonly used supplies.

Which Supplies Do Different Wreath Types Need?

You can use the same planning process for different projects, but the shopping list will change. These are flexible examples, not exact recipes.

Deco Mesh Wreath

Start with a wire frame or work form, mesh, ribbon if desired, and fasteners. Add a sign, picks, or ornaments only when they suit the design. Our beginner deco mesh wreath tutorial walks through the assembly process.

Grapevine Wreath

Choose a grapevine base, floral wire, greenery or flowers, and a bow or small sign. Leave some vine exposed for a natural look. A grapevine wreath does not need deco mesh unless that is part of your intended style.

Evergreen or Pine Wreath

Begin with an evergreen base. Add wired ribbon, a bow, floral picks, and a limited number of ornaments or accents. Most of the fullness is already provided by the greenery.

A Beginner Shopping Plan That Avoids Waste

Before you add several rolls of ribbon or a pile of accents to your cart, decide what you are making. A clear plan can help prevent buying supplies that never get used.

1. Choose the theme, occasion, or sport.
2. Measure the door or display area and select the frame.
3. Pick the main sign, bow, or focal arrangement.
4. Choose a few coordinated colors and foundation materials.
5. Check which fasteners and tools you already own.

If you prefer a coordinated group of materials, a wreath kit may help. Always check what the kit includes; some kits do not contain the frame, fasteners, or tools.

What Should a Beginner Avoid Buying?

• Multiple unrelated ribbon patterns for a single design
• Extra seasonal decorations without a planned project
• Large signs without comparing them to the finished wreath size
• Specialty tools you have not yet needed
• More mesh or accents than the chosen technique calls for

Start with one complete wreath. After you have made it, you will have a much better idea of the materials, tools, and techniques you like.

Helpful Wreath-Making Resources

Keep these how-to guides and shopping categories handy while planning your project. They can help you choose the right supplies instead of purchasing more materials than you need.

Learn Wreath-Making Basics

• Wreath Maker Resource Center — browse free supply guides, design ideas, craft show advice and business resources.
• Beginner Deco Mesh Wreath Tutorial — see how the frame, mesh, ribbon, sign and accents work together.
• Ribbon Yardage Guide — estimate ribbon needs for bows, tails and different wreath sizes.

Shop Coordinating Sports and Team Supplies

• Sports Wreath Supplies and Team Wreath Supplies — coordinate a design by sport or team.
• Wreath Supplies — explore supplies by product type.
• Ribbon and Ribbon Bundles — build coordinated bows and ribbon tails.
• Signs, Deco Mesh, and Wreath Frames — choose the main structural and decorative pieces.
• Wreath Kits — compare coordinated material packages, checking what each kit actually includes.

Final Thoughts

The answer to “What supplies do I need to make a wreath?” depends on your chosen base and style. Most projects require a frame, foundation material, fasteners, and basic tools. Ribbon, signs, florals, picks, ornaments, and other details can be added when they improve your design.

Choose your wreath theme, frame, and focal point first, then buy a coordinated set of supplies. You can explore Sports Wreath Shop wreath supplies or follow our beginner wreath-making guide when you are ready to start.

Frequently Asked Questions