Two-Toned Coffee Filter Wreath Tutorial

Welcome Friends!

I am really excited to share this project with you! I hope I can make this tutorial simple, and easy to follow, so that you can enjoy a wreath of your own soon!

First of all, I want you to know that I have made coffee filter wreaths before, but this is my first time using THIS method, and it was my first time dyeing the filters. So, let's get started!

Step 1. Dye your filters. Unless you want to keep them all white, that is up to you. I used chalk paint to dye mine. I actually started out with the intention of making a 3 tone wreath. I had 3 colors all ready. I split my coffee filters in to thirds, and dyed each color one at a time. I chose a bright white, a creamy white, and a tan color.

To do this, you mix 1 part paint, with about 10 parts warm water. Dip the coffee filters in to the paint, about 10 at a time, and wring them out really well.  Once they are all wrung out, you lay them on an aluminum foil-lined cookie sheet. You can see that I put mine all on together, but after this experience, I highly recommend doing one color at a time. Some of the darker ones dripped on the white. Also, you don't have to dye the white ones. I was hoping that mine would turn brighter white, so I could see a difference from the creamy white, but we will get to that in a minute... However, I would still dip white ones in water, and dry them the same way.

Once you have your filters on your pan. You will want to put them in the oven at 245 degrees, and bake them for 30 minutes. You will want to flip them after 15 minutes. This just helps them to dry out. Also, some of the ones that were hanging off edge burned. So it's best not to hang them over.

When you pull them out, they won't be completely dry. Depending on how thick your piles are. Mine were too big, so they were pretty wet. Lay them out to dry the rest of the way. Mine were all over!

At this point, it was clear that I only had two colors. There was no difference at all between my white and cream filters.  So now I had two times as many whites, as tans. I just went with it.

Step 2.  Fold ALL of your filters. At this point, you might as well get a movie, or Netflix, or Hulu going, because you are going to be here a while. 

First fold in half.

Then in half again. 

Phew! Now it's time to get the rest of your supplies. Here are mine. Oh, wait! My wreath frame seems to have grown legs and walked off... Just kidding, I live with a toddler. 

It took enlisting the entire family on a house wide search, but I found it. Now I'm ready for step 3. Also, it's now nap time, so I can binge watch Deception and glue to my hearts desire. =)

Now, if you wanted a ribbon to hang your wreath from, this would be the time to tie it around your wreath form. Before you start glueing. I didn't need one for this wreath, so I didn't. 

Step 3.  Start glueing. There is no real correct way to do this. Just put a dab of hot glue on the tip of the triangle, and glue it. I like to work in sections. I do the whole section, and work my way around the wreath (pictured below). Some people like to do the whole inside of the ring, and work their way out. I did about 4-5 white filters, for every 3 tans. I put the tans together in chunks of 3. 

This took a looooong time. At least 2 full episodes of Deception. Then the unthinkable happened. I ran out! I got this far...

So, I had to dye more filters, and wait for more filters to dry, and then start again the next day. This method does take more time, and more filters, however, I love how full it is in the end.  So here's how it looks after you've completed step 3. Looks pretty cool already, but it's  not done!

Step 4. Now it's time to start scrunching. I did this buy grabbing the ends of each triangle, and pushing in, and down. Just work your way all around the wreath, the same way you glued.  Hopefully you can picture that... This was the most time consuming part. Here is right after I started.

I got about half way, and needed a break. I was getting way bored. I could tell it was going to be beautiful though!

Once I had a good break, I cam back and finished. I am very pleased with how it turned out! It compliments this piece that I painted perfectly. It will sell fast!

Here is a photo with it's mate =) Aren't they a darling couple?