Instructions

Making the Crepe Paper Ruffles and Fringe

1. Set your sewing machine to the longest stitch length, usually a 4-5. If the stitch length is too small (low), it will rip the paper. Next, adjust the tension to anywhere between 7-10. The tension setting will help the crepe paper 'ruffle' as it goes through the machine. Note: If you don't have a sewing machine, you can hand sew the ruffles.
2. This wreath uses about 118" of ruffled white crepe paper. To make the white ruffles, place the white crepe paper so that the sewing needle is about 1/4" from one edge of the paper. Start sewing about 1/2" and do a quick backstitch to lock the stitches. Release the backstitch lever and continue to sew until you have about 118" of ruffles. This should be enough to cover the outside, middle, and inner parts of the wreath. Set this aside and start on the fringed ruffles.
3. To create the double color fringed crepe paper, stack the green and white crepe directly on top of each other. Place the paper so that the needle will go down the center of the paper. Like the white ruffled crepe paper, sew about 1/2" and do a backstitch before sewing. Sew together about 164" of double-colored crepe paper together OR sew this part in sections (47", 44", 39", and 34" lengths). I prefer doing it in sections. Fold crepe paper in half along the sewn line. Once the length of the paper is folded in half, fold over 2-3 more times. Line up the sewn edges and use scissors to cut 3/16" wide fringe, making sure to not cut into the stitching. When all the fringe is cut, open the paper, leaving it folded in half. This will make it easier to glue to the wreath. Set aside.

How to Assemble the St. Patrick's Day Crepe Paper Wreath

The wreath will be assembled from the outside wreath ring, moving towards the inner rings. To protect the work surface from glue, place paper or a silicone mat under the wreath form. It may also come in handy to have a piece of scrap cardboard or old envelope/paper to help separate the rows of paper while gluing.

4th ring (outside ring)

1. Take the white ruffled crepe paper and glue one end to the outside ring of the wreath, using only a small line of glue on the wire ring. Use the thread line as a guide on where to press it down onto the wire. In sections, add a line of glue onto the wire wring and continue to glue the crepe paper until the entire outside ring is covered. Cut off any excess ruffled paper and glue down the end on the wire ring. Do not add glue to any other part of the paper or it will show through.
2. Take the two colored fringed crepe paper and glue it directly over the outer white crepe paper. Again, using the thread line as a guide. Tip: In the image, I opened up the fringe fully but it's better to leave it folded in half until the wreath is completed. It makes application easier when it's kept folded in half till the end. See image for 2nd ring.

3rd ring

1. Place an envelope/paper/cardboard between the 4th and 3rd wreath rings. This will help prevent the glue from getting onto the other crepe papers. Run a small line of glue along the third ring and glue the fringed crepe paper down, using the sew line as a guide on where to press the paper down onto the ring. When the ends meet, cut off any excess and glue down.

2nd ring

1. Place your chosen barrier between the 3rd and 2nd ring. Repeat the steps as done for the 4th ring.

1st ring (inner ring) and Fluff

1. Again, repeat the steps as done for the 4th and 2nd wreath ring.
2. To complete the base, use your fingers to gently open the fringed crepe paper and fluff it up. Leave as-is or add embellishments.

Add Embellishments - Optional

1. To add some more interest, use 1-2 bags of St. Patrick's Day scatter or some other type of St. Patrick's Day decorations. For this wreath, I used 2 bags of St. Patrick's Day glitter foam scatter because these are lightweight and won't weigh down the paper. Do a dry fit to see where to place the items and then hot glue the pieces into place.