Are you ready for Halloween this week?? We’re still very much getting ready for it… better late than never. Which leads us to today’s DIY, this modern take on a traditional cork husk wreath! Sometimes you just need to revisit classic, easy techniques, but in a new way. We all know Joanna loves a dip dye moment (remember these dip-dyed pouches and this really cool take on stationery?). This fall, as we were brainstorming ideas for DIY projects for the holiday season, she suggested a new take on a classic fall wreath — this time with dip-dyed corn husks. Even if you haven’t started decorating yet, this corn husk wreath DIY is super-easy and fast — and can work for Thanksgiving, too!
How to Make a Dip Dyed Corn Husk Wreath
Materials
- 12″ straw wreath form
- 1 bag dried corn husks (you can often find these at your local your grocery store)
- All-purpose liquid black dye
- 2.5″ wide ribbon with wire
- Wreath hanger
Tools
- Baking sheets
- Paper towels or newspaper
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
- T-pins
- Medium or large glass mixing bowl
Directions
To begin, start with dyeing the corn husks. To be totally honest, I didn’t even bother to measure the dye and water combo for this. Pour a good ‘glug’ of dye (I probably used about 1/4 cup) into your mixing bowl, then fill with hot water and mix. I definitely recommend using a glass bowl because it won’t absorb the dye.
Then, take one dried corn husk and dip it into the bowl of dye. Leave it there for a second or two, pull it out and let the excess drip off. Evaluate the color and the depth of the dye and adjust to your taste. If you want the color to be more saturated, add a little more dye and leave the corn husks in longer.
Working in groups of three husks, dip them into the dye and hold them submerged until you’re happy with the color. Lay them to dry on sheet pans lined with paper towels. After they’ve dried enough so they’re a little damp, but not soaking (about 2 to 3 hours), start layering them atop the wreath and pin them in place to continue drying. This step helps shape the corn husks to the curve of the wreath so they’re easier to attach later.
Once the corn husks are completely dry (I left mine overnight), unpin the corn husks and rip them in half so the strips are narrower and easier to work with.
Starting at the top of the wreath form, glue a corn husk in place with the bigger end toward the middle of the wreath and the pointy end radiating out like a sunflower. Work your way around the wreath until the whole thing has a layer of corn husks. Then, begin adding another layer, altering the new corn husks with the ones you already glued on. I added a total of three layers to my wreath, but you can add more or less depending on the look you want to achieve.
Once you’re done gluing, bend the ends of the corn husks up and down so they have some pretty movement. There really isn’t a science to the placement of each piece, so have fun with it!
Finally, flip the wreath over and use those pins to pin down any of the inner edges of the corn husks so it looks nice and neat. Create a hanging loop with leftover ribbon or clear fishing line — whatever you have laying around will work just fine. Glue it into place.
Add a ribbon bow of your choosing and hang it proudly on your front door for some festive fall style. To avoid putting a hole in your door, we recommend using a wreath hanger.
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Looking for even more fall and Halloween DIY ideas and tips? Try these:
- Dried Flowers + White Pumpkin Centerpiece
- DIY // Fall Scented Bath Bombs
- Smudge Sticks Inspired by Fall
- Painted and Carved Terrazzo Pumpkin DIY
- Eggnog Soy Wax Candle DIY with Essential Oils
