Making a DIY Horse Head Christmas Wreath was both fun and challenging. From creating the wreath form to adding embellishments to dress it up for the holidays, I’m sharing a step by step tutorial that is a money saving way to create your own.
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It’s Day 1 and we are sharing DIY Wreath Ideas!
DIY Horse Head Christmas Wreath
Last December, my brother, who has always had a great love of horses, sent me a photo of a horse head wreath he had seen on line. It didn’t have a link with it, so I searched Pinterest. I found some that were DIY, but most of them included purchasing a metal wreath form that was in the shape of a horse’s head. I wasn’t going to spend $20 just for a metal frame. Others I saw used chicken wire to make the frame. That looked pretty cumbersome, so I decided to try to create my own frame.
Supplies Used to make a Horse Head Christmas Wreath
- Metal Wire
- Horse Head Template
- Garland
- Twine
- Fishing Line
- Ribbon
- Buttons
- Greenery Stems
- Small Pine Cones
- Jingle Bells
- Glue
- Pliers and Scissors
I’m not particularly proficient at drawing, but I sketched out what roughly passes as a horse’s head on a piece of poster board. I used some jewelry wire twisted together to help me find the shape that I wanted.
Once I had the shape, I used a two pieces of bendable metal rods that my husband brought home a while ago, just in case I might need it. I hadn’t found a use for it until now. I created the frame for the wreath form based on the thin wire template. I had a little assistance from my husband for this part. He used heavy pliers to twist two rods together. Any metal that is bendable and that will hold its shape can be used. You’ll want it to be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the garland. Craft wire comes in lots of thicknesses, so be sure to use one that will hold its shape.
I bent the wire around a little until I was satisfied with its shape.
After the frame was ready, the next step is to add twine to form a grid. Start at the top and run a length of twine to the bottom and tie it off.
Continue to add twine along the length of the frame.
Next, repeat the same process going horizontally. Some of the lines of twine weren’t as tight as they needed to be. I corrected this before I added the garland.
Add the garland around the outside edge of the frame. Use clear fishing line to tie it off along the way to hold it in place.
How to attach the garland to frame for a horse head Christmas wreath
- Measure and cut the garland into pieces that fit horizontally across the grid
- Attach each piece of garland with green twine by tying it to the grid
- Continue adding garland until the entire grid is filled.
- Check for any gaps and attach more garland as needed
The fun part of making a horse head wreath is adding the embellishments! Chose a wire ribbon to give the appearance of a bridle. Attach the ribbon by wrapping it around the wreath and gluing it on the back side. Add large buttons to the points to mimic the placement of bridle rings and a brown button for the eye. I added a cluster of jingle bells, too. All of these are glued in place.
To add a mane, I used two sprigs of greenery and I added in some gold pine cones that I purchased at the Dollar Tree. The sprigs are tucked behind the ribbon and tied off onto the metal frame with twine and the pine cones are glued in place. I made a simple red bow of loops of wire ribbon and added tails of both the red ribbon and the ribbon I used for the bridle. I attached the bow with fishing line and green twine by tying it tightly to the garland and grid.
I didn’t add a loop for hanging the wreath. I used a metal door hanger and placed the metal part of the frame onto the hanger.
I’m pleased to have found a way to diy this wreath and give it to my brother for his front door this holiday season. He was surprised and happy with it when I gave it to him!
Pin Me, Please!
DIY Horse Head Christmas Wreath
Scroll down for many more DIY Wreath Ideas for your holiday season!
Jenny says
Thank you for this amazing tutorial. My daughter loves horses and she would go crazy over a wreath like this. Plus it would make a nice gift for her riding coach. It’s beautiful & I love the ribbon as a bridle. #12DaysofChristmas
Beverly says
Thank you, Jenny. I’m glad the tutorial is clear. I think I worked as hard on the tutorial as I did on making the wreath!
Gail M Griffin says
Your wreath is stunning, Beverly! And your awesome tutorial is easy to follow and on point! Your brother must be so happy and excited that his sister made this for him! A true labor of love!
Beverly says
Thanks so much, Gail. My brother was thrilled with it and I was happy to make it for him.
Amanda @ Domestically Creative says
This is just too cute! I have never seen a horse wreath before and I think you nailed it. Love the ribbon for the bridle!
Beverly says
I hadn’t seen them either until last year. When I searched for them, I found lots of them. I was glad I found a budget friendly way to create one. Thank you, Amanda!
Debrashoppeno5 says
This is amazing. Your tutorial is so clear and concise. What a fantastic wreath.
Beverly says
Thanks! I’m glad the tutorial is clear. I wanted to show step by step to show that it’s not really a difficult wreath to make.
Shirley Wood says
Amazing and Stunning. Your brother has a good sister! So unique.
Beverly says
Thanks so much, Shirley! He does. 🙂 He’s pretty special, too. Looks like the first day of the 12 Days of Christmas was a success! Thanks for all you do to organize it!
meegan says
Wow! such an awesome idea for Christmas. Very creative and unique. Thanks for sharing.
Beverly says
Thank you, Meegan. I like that it’s not the typical wreath I make. It was fun to try something different.
T'onna | Sew Crafty Crochet says
I love this unique wreath! I’ve never seen a horse wreath before, and I love how you created the frame yourself! So creative! I also love the ribbon and bells! Pinning!
Beverly says
Thank you, T’onna! I love trying my hand at new wreaths and this one was a fun one to make. Thanks for pinning!
Cherryl Ehlenburg says
Wow, that’s amazing! You did a great job!
Beverly says
Thanks so much, Cherryl!
Emily says
I’m so impressed by this. I’ve never thought of making a wreath in a shape like this, what a great tutorial, this method could be used to make any shape!
Alexandra says
Beverly! WOW!! This is incredible!
Reminds me of a project I did in middle school on Cleopatra. My mom helped me. We took chicken wire, formed it around my face, then applied mortar to the form to create “Cleopatra’s” head, and attached it to some styrofoam to hang. Was pretty cool.
Sam - Raggedy Bits says
This gorgeous horse wreath is just so very sweet! Such A detailed and awesome tutorial! I have a little niece that would LOVe this to bits too!
Marie | DIY Adulation says
I’m in awe of how this turned out! What a new and creative take on a traditional christmas wreath!
Super Mom - No Cape! says
I love this horse wreath! I’m going to be forwarding this on to my daughter as I know she’ll love it too!