How to Make a 4th of July Wreath | Red, White, and Blue

A 4th of July wreath is made by layering red, white, and blue fabric or paper onto a base form, then adding stars, bows, or flags.

Whether you want a rustic burlap look for the front door or a quick paper craft to do with kids, the project takes an evening at most. The two most popular approaches are a burlap wreath on a wire frame and a construction-paper version on a paper plate. Both use the same red, white, and blue formula, just with different materials.

If you’d rather buy one ready-made than build it yourself, our tested roundup of the best 4th of July wreaths compares the top options side by side.

The Burlap Wreath Method

Burlap is the classic choice for a patriotic front-door wreath because it holds its shape and hides imperfections well. Hallmark Channel’s tutorial uses a metal wreath frame and three rolls of red burlap plus one roll of blue, both 6 inches wide and 15 feet long.

Start by cutting the burlap into strips about 12 to 18 inches long. Loop each strip through the wire frame, pulling the ends through the center and cinching them tight. Compress the loops closely together so no wire shows through, and keep going until the frame is covered. The standard split is roughly two-thirds red and one-third blue, which gives the wreath a balanced patriotic look.

Once the frame is full, thread a white ribbon through the center of the loops to tie the two colors together, then hot-glue wooden or fabric stars onto the blue section. A wire hanger or ribbon loop on the back finishes it. Floral wire or pipe cleaners work for securing the burlap if you find the loops slipping.

A Kid-Friendly Paper Plate Version

Short on time or crafting with children? Crayola’s paper plate wreath is the fastest route. You need red, white, and blue construction paper, a paper plate, ribbon, tape, and glitter glue.

Cut stars from the construction paper, then cut out the center of the plate so only the rim remains. Glue the stars around the rim in a repeating pattern, tape a ribbon loop to the back for hanging, and add a layer of glitter glue on top.

The paper version won’t survive rain or wind the way burlap will, so it’s best for indoor decorating or a covered porch.

Materials and Common Mistakes

The frame you choose should match the material you’re using. Wire frames hold burlap and mesh securely, grapevine frames work well for ribbon and floral designs, and paper plates are only for lightweight crafts.

Hot glue is the go-to for stars, flowers, and picks, while wire or pipe cleaners should anchor the larger fabric pieces. On grapevine and mesh wreaths, the most common mistake is pulling ribbon or fabric too tight — tutorials consistently emphasize keeping everything fluffy and evenly distributed rather than flat and stretched.

For burlap and mesh, tuck cut edges and tie points into the frame so the finished wreath looks clean from every angle. Here’s the material breakdown at a glance:

For a sturdier hanging mechanism on heavier burlap wreaths, use florist wire to create a loop rather than ribbon alone.

FAQs

How long does a burlap wreath take to make?

Plan for one to two hours for the burlap method, depending on how densely you pack the loops. The paper plate version takes about 30 minutes of active time, plus the 3–4 hour drying period for the glitter glue before it can hang.

What size wreath form should I use?

A smaller 10-inch frame works for a half-door or wall accent, though you’ll have leftover burlap.

Can I use the same technique with different colors?

Yes. The looping and assembly method works with any color combination, so the same steps carry over to fall, Christmas, or seasonal wreaths. Just swap the burlap colors and the accents to match the holiday.