Mardi Gras wreaths are over the top in the best way possible. This grapevine design has everything you love about Mardi Gras: loads of purple, green, and gold, and plenty of beads too! This tutorial shows you how to transform a basic grapevine wreath into something worthy of this fun holiday with a Mardi Gras bow.
Hey, y’all! In case you didn’t know…I’m from Louisiana, y’all. That means celebrating Mardi Gras is practically part of my DNA. It’s a fun holiday in practically every way, and (believe it or not), it also happens to be one of our busiest wreath-selling seasons.
When it comes to Mardi Gras, the phrase “go big or go home” definitely applies.
Truth be told, there are very few things that get me in the festive spirit as much as decorating for an upcoming holiday does – and Mardi Gras is one of my favorites!
We’ve made other Mardi Gras wreath designs in the past, including our Mardi Gras Wreath With Mesh And A Mask and Mardi Gras Wreath With A Fleur De Lis designs. Be sure to check those out if you want more ideas.
Mardi Gras Wreaths That Stand Out From The Crowd
This Mardi Gras wreath starts with a basic grapevine wreath form. I like working with grapevine wreaths because the design makes tucking little accessories in between the branches so easy.
Although I’m always up for wrapping all kinds of ribbon and decor pieces around the entire form, too!
Besides the fun colorful purple, green, and gold ribbons, the one thing that truly sets this wreath firmly in the Mardi Gras camp is the beads.
I mean, you can’t have Mardi Gras without plenty of shiny beads, right? 😉
Video Tutorial
Take a look at this video, where I show you how I put together this wreath and how to add those all-important Mardi Gras beads to the design.
How To Make A Mardi Gras Bow
Just in case you missed any part of the video, we’re including the directions here, too, so you can read and/or print them out.
Since the bow is such a large part of this design, I’m including separate directions for making it. That way, you can make this bow for ANY Mardi Gras door wreath you create!
Supplies Needed
Mardi Gras Wreath Bow Instructions
Follow these instructions step-by-step for a beautiful final Mardi Gras bow.
Step 1
Take the 4″ wired ribbon and make 16″ tails with (1) 7-inch loop on each side.
Step 2
Now we’ll create 4 loops with 2.5″ wired ribbon. The loops are going to be slightly smaller (about 6.5″). Finish them with a 16-inch tail.
Step 3
Add one more 16-inch strip with the 4″ wired ribbon.
Step 4
Make a 16″ tail and (2) 6″ loops with the 2.5″ wired ribbon.
Step 5
Next, take the 1.5″ wired ribbon and make a 16″ tail and (4) 5.5″ loops with the 1.5″ wired ribbon.
Step 6
Now make a 16″ tail and 1 (5″) loop on each side with 1.5″ wired ribbon.
Step 7
Add one more 16-inch strip with the 2.5″ wired ribbon.
Note: This tail goes in the opposite direction of the previous 16″-strip tail.
Step 8
Finish it off it with one 4.5″ loop.
Step 9
Wrap a pipe cleaner around it. Tighten it up and twist it off.
Mardi Gras Wreath Bow
Materials
Instructions
- Let's start with 16 inches for the tail using 4" wired ribbon and then make an 7-inch loop on each side. We're going big on this one y'all, and end with another 16-inch tail.
- Now we'll do our 4 loops with the 2.5" wired ribbon. The loops are going to be slightly smaller, and end with another 16-inch tail.
- We're going to add one more 16-inch strip with the 4" wired ribbon. Just a tail in here.
- Then we'll do our 2 loops with the 2.5" wired ribbon. The loops are going to be slightly smaller, and end with another 16-inch tail.
- Now we'll do our 4 loops with the 1.5" wired ribbon. The loops are going to be slightly smaller, and end with another 16-inch tail.
- Next, 2 loops of 1.5" wired ribbon, one loop on each side, slightly smaller, and end with another 16-inch tail.
- We're going to add one more 16-inch strip with the 2.5" wired ribbon. Just a tail in here. This tail goes the opposite direction of last 16"-strip tail we did.
- Now we're going to end it with one loop.
- Get my pipe cleaner around it, get it nice and tight and twist it off.
How To Make A Mardi Gras Wreath On A Grapevine Base
Now that you’ve seen how to make the incredible bow, here are the instructions for putting the wreath together!
Supplies Needed
Here’s everything you’ll need to make a Mardi Gras wreath. I’ve included some handy links to help you find supplies faster and easier.
- 1 grapevine wreath
- Deco mesh
- Mardi Gras wreath bow (see instructions above)
- Scissors
- Pipe cleaners
- Glue sticks
- Hot glue gun
- Greenery sprays
- Gold sprays
- Mardi Gras sprays
- Mardi Gras attachment
- Skewer sticks
Instructions To Make Mardi Gras Wreaths
Follow these instructions step-by-step for a beautiful final product.
Step 1
Take a strip of mesh and fold it over. Measure the mesh strip to 26″ and cut it off. Scrunch it down the middle. Use a pipe cleaner around the center and twist it off. You’ll have a fake ruffle bow.
Step 2
Place your fake ruffle bow at the bottom of the grapevine base. Attach it securely.
Step 3
Attach your Mardi Gras wreath bow on top of the fake ruffle bow.
On the back of your wreath frame, take the extra pipe cleaner and wrap it around the grapevine so that it’s secure. Cut off an inch and tuck it back in the grapevine.
Step 4
Trim the tails at the top of your bow. Wait to trim the tails at the bottom of your bow.
Step 5
Add some greenery spray around the bow. Extend it to make it longer and taller than the bow and add some depth to the overall design. Continue building it out from there by adding more sprigs.
Step 6
Continue layering with the gold picks to make it fuller. Build it out by adding more stems.
Step 7
Take a piece of the glitter wispy spray, dip the end in hot glue, and place it under the bow. Attach one to the top of the bow and one to the bottom of the bow.
Step 8
Insert the glitter ball sprays to the top and bottom of the bow and keep building out.
Step 9
Add some glitter loop sprays to the top and bottom of the bow.
Step 10
Now, dovetail all your ribbon tails. Roll them with your finger and pull out a little bit so you get a beautiful curled ribbon tail.
Step 11
Add the King cake attachment by sticking a skewer stick through the attachment into the grapevine base at each end to keep it in place.
Use a hot glue gun to help keep it in place and trim off the excess.
Step 12
Make a Mardi Gras bead dog…You need four beads. Take one of your sections of two and go right into the cross of the first one. You make a little three-piece.
In the next section, you take one of your two pieces and just pop it around each other. On this one, we’ll take another section of two and just put it right into the next piece.
Now you have your little bead dog! Attach him to your wreath.
Mardi Gras Grapevine Wreath
Materials
Instructions
- Let's take a strip of mesh and fold it over. Mesh measured to be 26". And just crunch it down the middle. Take a pipe cleaner, put it around the center and twist off. You'll end up with a fake ruffle bow.
- Place fake ruffle bow at the bottom of the grapevine base. Get it pulled in nice and tight.
- Add your Mardi Gras wreath bow on top of the fake ruffle bow. Pull it in nice and tight. In the back, take the extra pipe cleaner and wrap around the grapevine so it's nice and secure. Cut off an inch and tuck in back to the grapevine.
- Trim the tails at the top of your bow. Wait to trim the tails at the bottom of your bow.
- I think I want to add some greenery spray. I want to extend it a little bit longer and taller around the bow. Build out from there.
- Keep layering with the gold pick/spray to make it fuller. Build it out.
- Take a piece of the glitter wispy spray, dip end in hot glue, and place it under the bow. Add one to the top of bow and one to the bottom of the bow.
- Add the glitter ball sprays to the top and bottom of the bow and keep building out.
- Add some glitter loop/knot sprays to the top and bottom of the bow.
- Now make all your tails in to dovetails. Roll your tails with your finger and pull out a little bit so you get a nice curl.
- Add the King cake attachment in the circle. Take a skewer stick and stick through the grapevine base into the King cake at each end to keep it in place. Trim the excess skewer stick. You can also use a hot glue gun to help keep in place.
- Make a Mardi Gras bead dog…You need four beads. Take one of your sections of two and go right into the cross of the first one and you make a little three piece. Right on the next section you take one of your two pieces and just pop it around each other. On this one we're going to take another section of two and just put it right into the next piece and you make your little bead dog. Attach him to your wreath.
Well, that’s it! The first of many (I hope) Mardi Gras wreaths on a grapevine base are complete. Get to work making more for your customers, and don’t forget to enjoy some king cake while you’re crafting!
FAQs
If you have any questions about making this project, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some questions I frequently see readers ask about making Mardi Gras wreaths. Leave your question in the comments if you don’t see it already answered below.
Do I have to use gold, green, and purple colors?
In general, no. You could make this design (or a very similar one) in any colors you like. However, if you’re making a Mardi Gras-specific wreath, then yes, you need to use the colors of the holiday.
Would super glue work instead of hot glue?
Well, superglue is often a good substitute in wreath making. But that really depends on the type of wreath you’re making and what you need to glue.
Since this design is a grapevine wreath, super glue would only be ok. Hot glue is a much better fit for this project because it has some bulk (so it will help stems adhere even in larger spaces), and it sets quickly.
Make Mardi Gras Wreaths For Your Store
I love this design! The grapevine wreath lends a little simple or rustic touch to normally very loud and busy decorations. If you’re looking for something just a tad subdued but still VERY Mardi Gras-fitting, these grapevine Mardi Gras wreaths are the perfect design.
If you love Mardi Gras decorations, make sure to check out some of our other popular designs:
- DIY Mardi Gras Centerpiece
- 5-Minute DIY Mardi Gras Wreath
- Deco Mesh and Ribbon Tail Mardi Gras Wreath
- Mardi Gras Swag
- Make Your Own Mardi Gras Centerpiece
Need some help with any part of the wreath-making process? We’d love to lend a hand. This includes answering any questions about bow-making, wreath-making, or crafting in general! Look for what you need at How to Make Wreaths.
Don’t forget to check out more of our tutorials on How to Make Wreaths. Plus, come share with us over at the How To Make Wreaths Facebook Group.
If you are interested in more info on learning how to make wreaths, where to buy supplies, and being in a community of like-minded crafters, check out our Creative Coaching Subscription Group.
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