Red, White and Blue Deco Mesh Wreath Tutorial Part 1

I want to make this wreath!

Isn't it spectacular!

Here is how to make this magnificent wreath by Trendy Tree Link
It is a great website to order fun craft items.

We chose to make our wreath using a Pencil Ball Wreath instead of just a plain Pencil Wreath to add a bit more glitz. We were undecided about which color to use and opted for the Silver Pencil Ball Wreath.  The Pencil Ball wreaths cost a little more, but add a little extra with the shiny balls on the tips of the twists. This wreath is 24″, same as other Pencil Wreaths. The actual metal frame is 15″ at it’s widest portion, but yields a 24″ wreath or larger depending on the type mesh and type of method used to make the wreath. (This wreath can be made with any 24″ Work Wreath or Pencil Wreath.)
The Deco Poly Mesh used was the Wide Foil style in the 10″ width. We used Red, Royal Blue and White with Silver Foil. The 10″ rolls have 10 yards and sell for $6.99. I thought when we first started making the Ruffle Wreath that the overall finished wreath would be smaller than the typical wreath made with 21″ wide mesh….but it measured a good 28″ in width and height when done.
The only real difference between our wreath and the Craig Bachman Imports wreath in the video, was on their wreath they went around the inner and outer rings once with a “ruffle” and then did the inner ring a second time to add fullness.
We decided to count to see how many “ruffles” we could get from each roll so that we would use up the rolls instead of having short remnant left over.
We counted the twists on the wreath which were 18. The ruffles were to be cut in 20″ lengths, so each 10 yard roll of mesh should have yielded exactly 18 ruffles of mesh. Thus we would have 54 ruffles….18 of each color. So we decided to give our wreath three layers of ruffles, alternating the colors.
(Note – since this first wreath, we have started making ruffles only 10″ in length which works very well and takes less mesh.)

 The mesh was spread out (all three colors layered on top of each other) and measured on the cutting table. Thanks to Julie Siomacco. Saw her do this in her free tutorial this weekend. Isn’t it funny how we can see someone do something so simple…..and think….gosh, why didn’t I think of that!

 We cut the rolls 20″ in length and just laid them to the side.

 To make the ruffle just start at one end of the 20″ cut length, flatten it out as best you can. It really helps to have another person, or just lay your scissors or something down on the opposite end of the mesh to hold it flat while you pinch pleat right up the center of the strip.

 Just keep scrunching up the middle and keep it snug in your finger.

 Hold it pinched in your fingers until you place it between the twists of the Pencil Ball Wreath

Just pick a place to start on the Pencil Ball Wreath and lay the pinched ruffle inside the twists and secure it with a couple of turns.
When working with the Pencil Ball Wreaths, always use the twist stem and not the balls for twisting. We had a couple to pull loose while we were working with the wreath, but they slipped back on without any problem. But, hindsight…..don’t twist by the balls…..well….I guess that’s a good practice to apply….whatever the occasion……. Anyway…..back to the wreath)))

  Just alternate your colors and continue working around the wreath.