Dollar Tree Mesh Tube Heart Wreath

I’m a HUGE fan of mesh tube. I think it is so much fun. Just check out the Halloween, fall, and Christmas versions I’ve made of a mesh tube wreath, and you’ll see what I mean. I was thrilled to discover this year that Dollar Tree is selling their mesh tube in Valentine’s colors! I already had a heart-shaped wreath form (also from Dollar Tree) that I wasn’t sure what to do with, and a plan was born.

If you’ve read any of my other tutorials, this one is very similar with just a few tweaks. It was fun to work with a different shape than the usual round wreath.

Instead of mixing colors this time, I went for an ombre-type effect. I ended up redoing part of it in an attempt to get more of an ombre effect, so I’ll tell you all about it.

It was only after I’d cut a bunch of pipe cleaners that I realized it would be easier if I kept them whole for this project. I suppose I could have just wrapped the pipe cleaner around the center bar of the heart, but it felt more secure to me to wrap it around the whole thing.

Supplies:

• Heart wreath form
• Mesh tube (I used 5 red, 4 dark pink, 2 light pink) 
• Pipe cleaners
• Scissors
• Ruler/tape measure

I wasn’t sure how much mesh tube I was going to need this time, so I bought everything I could find. I found the least light pink, so that was what I used on the bottom. Of course you can use whatever combination of colors you want—or even make mixed bundles of all the colors.

I happened to find red pipe cleaners when I was shopping, so I ended up using those. I also used a few white pipe cleaners for the light pink bundles just because that mesh tube is so much lighter. Theoretically, it shouldn’t matter because you shouldn’t be able to see the pipe cleaners.

How to make a mesh tube wreath

The first thing you need to do is make bundles of mesh tube. To do this you need the mesh tube, scissors, a ruler/tape measure, and pipe cleaners. Just as I did when I made my other (round) mesh tube wreaths, I cut pieces of 28 inches long. You can cut multiple pieces at once, but be careful not to stretch them out as you’re cutting or they will end up different sizes. (Despite your best effort, you’ll probably end up with some of that anyway.)

Now, I had the thought after I’d cut all of the mesh tube that I could have saved myself some work by not bothering to cut it. Most of my bundles were made from a single color, so I could have worked with the packages of mesh tube as they were. You’d basically make the bundles the same way… just a few more back-and-forths.

To get the ombre effect, I made four bundles each of red/dark pink and dark pink/light pink. There’s a big difference between each color, and I think these bundles helped to break them up a little bit.

Once you have your mesh tube cut, you can start making bundles. To do this, hold one end of the tube in one hand, and start folding it back and forth to make loops on both ends. Hold them tight so that you don’t lose the ends. You should end up with about 8 loops on each side. Once you get a feel for it, this part goes quickly.

Secure each bundle with a pipe cleaner by twisting it around the center of each one as tightly as possible. Just a couple of twists and you’re good to go.

Attach the bundles by twisting the pipe cleaners around the wreath form. I started with the light pink at the bottom, but you could just as easily start with the red at the top. (Or wherever you want, depending on which colors you’re using.)

Once I’ve attached the bundles, I like to fluff up the loops to make the wreath look as full as possible. I also like to trim up any loose edges of mesh tube. I just think it makes it look a little cleaner. Sometimes I have to hang up a wreath and stand back to look at it before I see what changes I want to make or what I want to clean up.

To make a hanger for this wreath, I used a pipe cleaner and wrapped it around the middle bar up at the top of the heart. I don’t usually need hangers for the round wreaths, but that was the only way I could get the heart to hang straight.

That’s it! A beautiful heart wreath, perfect for Valentine’s Day.

So far I’ve been limited by the colors of mesh tube I can get seasonally from Dollar Tree. So far I’ve found it in Christmas, fall, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day colors. They do regularly carry some pretty springlike colors—if you can find them. I’ve been thinking about ordering some from craftoutlet.com, where they have a large selection of colors. I’m thinking 4th of July maybe. Or something else summery. I’d happily make a mesh tube wreath for every season and holiday!

Happy crafting!