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What you need
- Clean, dry, uncoated brown paper bags
- Sturdy corrugated cardboard, approximately 35 cm square
- Scrap card for leaf templates
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Two circular objects for tracing, approximately 30 cm and 18 cm across, or a compass
- Low-temperature hot glue gun and glue sticks, or thick tacky craft glue
- Twine for hanging
- Strong tape
- Approximately 60–80 cm of ribbon or a torn cotton fabric strip for the bow
- Optional acrylic paint and a small paintbrush
Prepare enough paper for approximately 80–100 leaves. Start with two large shopping bags or around 10–15 lunch bags, then check how many leaves you can cut. Bag sizes vary, so these quantities are a starting guide.
Instructions
There is something especially satisfying about making lovely home decor from something that was heading for the recycling bin.
This DIY paper bag wreath has that warm, rustic look that works beautifully with timber furniture, cream walls and simple cotton fabrics. The folded leaves catch the light, giving ordinary brown paper more dimension than you might expect.
You do not need a cutting machine, specialist punches or perfectly identical leaves. In fact, slight differences make the finished wreath feel more natural.
Keep it plain for everyday decorating, add a checked bow for Christmas, or paint a few leaves copper and rust for autumn. It is a useful little project for anyone who enjoys changing the decorations without buying another cupboard full of supplies.
Instructions
1. Make the Cardboard Wreath Base
Draw a 30 cm circle on the cardboard.
Inside it, draw a centred 18 cm circle. The space between the circles creates a ring approximately 6 cm wide.
Cut around the outside circle, then carefully remove the centre. To begin the inner cut, make an opening in the waste cardboard inside the smaller circle.
If the ring feels bendy, cut a second matching ring. Glue the two together with the corrugations running in different directions. Leave flat until dry.
2. Attach the Hanging Loop
Make two small holes near the top of the ring, approximately 3 cm apart. Position them midway across the width of the cardboard band.
Thread twine through the holes and tie a secure hanging loop at the back.
Reinforce the holes and knot with strong tape on the reverse.
Do this before adding the leaves so the attachment stays hidden beneath the finished decoration.
3. Prepare the Paper Bags
Remove handles and any reinforced handle patches.
Cut off the folded bag bottoms, then cut up a side seam to open each bag into a flat sheet.
Trim away thick glued sections. Smooth the paper gently with your hands.
Use clean paper without grease or food residue. If your bags have printing, position the printed side towards the back of each leaf.
4. Make Two Leaf Templates
On scrap card, draw a pointed oval measuring approximately 8 cm long and 4 cm wide.
The shape should resemble an almond, tapering to a point at both ends.
Make a second template approximately 6 cm long and 3 cm wide for smaller filler leaves.
Cut out both templates.
5. Trace and Cut the Leaves
Trace the templates onto your flattened paper bags.
Begin with approximately 70 large leaves and 20 smaller leaves. Keep the remaining paper for extras if needed.
You can cut two thin layers together if your scissors handle them comfortably. Avoid thick stacks, which can shift and leave ragged edges.
Small differences between leaves are fine. There is no need to turn a relaxing craft afternoon into a leaf inspection service.
6. Fold Each Leaf
Fold a leaf in half lengthwise, bringing its long edges towards each other.
Press a crease between the two pointed ends.
Open the leaf slightly so it forms a shallow V rather than lying completely flat.
Repeat with the remaining leaves. This centre fold creates the raised, dimensional appearance.
For a more weathered finish, gently scrunch the paper before folding. Handle thin lunch-bag paper lightly to avoid tearing it.
7. Arrange a Test Section
Lay several leaves on the cardboard ring without glue.
Point them in a clockwise direction around the circle, angling some towards the outer edge and others slightly towards the centre.
Overlap them in small clusters. Each new cluster should cover the attachment ends of the previous one.
Let some leaf tips extend beyond the outside edge while keeping the centre opening clearly visible.
Once you like the arrangement, begin gluing.
8. Glue the First Cluster
Apply a small amount of glue underneath the bottom 1–2 cm of a large leaf.
Attach this end to the cardboard near the outside edge of the band. Leave the rest of the leaf free.
Add another leaf beside it towards the inner edge. Add a third between them if needed to cover the cardboard.
Use small glue amounts and keep your fingers clear of hot glue.
9. Continue Around the Wreath
Add the next cluster so its pointed ends overlap the glued bases of the previous leaves.
Continue around the ring, maintaining the same general direction.
Vary the angles slightly to avoid obvious straight rows. Check occasionally that the outer shape remains balanced and the centre opening stays open.
If using tacky glue, keep the wreath flat and allow the leaves to grip before moving it.
10. Hide the Finishing Join
When you reach the starting point, gently lift the free tips of the first leaves.
Tuck the attachment ends of your final leaves underneath them and glue those ends to the cardboard.
This conceals the join and creates a continuous leafy pattern.
Add smaller leaves wherever cardboard remains visible, particularly around the inner edge.
11. Add the Fabric Bow
Tie your ribbon or cotton strip into a simple bow with two loops and two tails.
Position it at the bottom or slightly to one side.
Attach the bow to the cardboard base beneath the leaves where possible. Avoid relying on one thin paper leaf to support it.
Trim the tails to your preferred length.
12. Allow the Wreath to Set
Leave the wreath flat until all glue has cooled or dried completely.
Lift it gently by the hanging loop and check for loose leaves.
Hang on an interior door, wall or mirror, away from moisture and heat.
Variations
Christmas wreath: Add burgundy, green or checked ribbon. Lightly dry-brush a few leaves with white paint before assembly for a snowy effect.
Autumn wreath: Paint some leaves copper, mustard or muted rust, leaving others natural brown.
White paper wreath: Substitute white lunch bags and finish with a linen or velvet bow.
Mini wreaths: Reduce the ring and leaf sizes to make matching gift decorations.
Helpful Tips
- Glue only the leaf bases to preserve the raised folds.
- Use smaller leaves to fill gaps without crowding the centre.
- Apply paint sparingly and let it dry before assembly.
- Keep the finished wreath indoors. Sealer will not make paper and cardboard weatherproof.
- Store flat in a shallow box without placing anything on top.
A few slightly uneven leaves only add to the charm. Once they overlap around the ring, those ordinary paper bags become something rather lovely.
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