FYNES DESIGNS

I professed my love for making natural Christmas wreaths in the past. After I made the Joy Wreath Sign last year the questions poured in how to make one… or if I could make one for them. So this year I decide I better get things together to show you how to make some natural outdoor Christmas decorations yourself.

I thought I would share how to make a Christmas door swag first as it is a bit easier of a project, and tomorrow I’ll be sharing how to make a natural wreath (although, still easy, once you know a few tips).

To start you will need to gather a few swag making supplies

• Coat hanger (the wreath ring is for tomorrows project)
• Balsam Fir, Pine, Cedar, holly clippings (picture in that order)
• Garden pruners
• Floral wire
• Wire snippers
• Decorations/ floral picks
• Floral sticks (cut skewers work too)
• Ribbon (I used this one)

How to Make a Christmas Swag

1.) Push the sides of the coat hanger to the centre, stretching it into a long line. Using a pair of pliers, bend the hook of the hanger into a loop for easy hanging.

2.) Start with a long sturdy fir branch that is approx 18″ long, for the swag base.

3.) Layer the bottom branch with two additional sturdy pieces approx 16″ long.

4.) Make a similar arrangement of three branches, with the ends pointing in the opposite direction measuring approx 10- 12″ long.

5.) Twist the end of the floral wire around the coat hanger to secure.

6.) Layer the six fir branches together on top of the coat hanger. Twist the wire around the entire bunch of greenery multiple times, securing it to the hanger.

7.) Add in additional layers of cedar/ pine/ holly in the same manner as you desire. Secure with a wrap of wire with each additional layer.

8.) Embellish with ribbon, bells, pinecones, and small ornaments.

When you’ve mastered the swag, you may want to move beyond the basic bow. Below are a few tricks I use to attach ornaments.

You can use toothpicks or skewers wrapped with a small piece of wire. This will allow you to poke the decorations right into the greenery.

I love how vibrant this wired coloured burlap  from May Arts Ribbon is. It really makes the swag pop!

I think I’ve used this Natural Cotton Burlap Blend  on the Christmas swag below on about 10 projects this year too. Definitely on my list of favourites.

I love how easy it is to make a Christmas swag. It’s one of my favourite Christmas decorations, relatively easy to make and very affordable. Give it a try an be sure to stop by the Fynes Designs Facebook page to share your creation.

Plus click over to learn to make Natural Wreath too!

You might also like the JOY Wreath Sign

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