Welcome autumn indoors with this simple, yet pretty pinecone garland. Today, I’m sharing the easy tutorial so that you can make this garland for your own home this fall. Grab your pinecones and hot glue gun and join me in making this beautiful DIY pinecone garland!
A couple of days ago I decided that the cool weather warranted a little fall decorating. Flash forward to today and we’re back into the 80 degree weather. How silly of me to think that we could finally sit back and enjoy the cooler temperatures here in Georgia, ha! However, I swapped out our summer lines for warmer tones and even finished sewing a new ottoman slipcover. I really wanted to bring in some texture in the way of florals and pinecones. What I love about pinecones is that they can be taken from fall right into winter. I love natural decor that can transition into new seasons easily.
I had recently saw a story of a friend that I follow on IG. She had shared a photo of some pinecone garland that she had purchased in the past from Ballard Designs. I knew that I didn’t want to spend what Ballard Designs would be charging for such garland and I also knew that I could probably make my own for very little. It turns out that I was correct! I was able to whip this garland up in just an afternoon for under $10, including the ribbon!
I didn’t have a how-to to follow but this is what I came up with. It’s very simple and understated, yet so pretty. I’ve found over the years that it’s the simple things that really make the most beautiful seasonal decor. You just can’t beat natural items with it comes to decorating your home for autumn.
How-To Make Pinecone Garland
Here’s what I used to make this pinecone garland –
- Mini pinecones (I used just over 2 of THESE bags that I purchased at Hobby Lobby.)
- Hot glue
- Twine (Ideally brown twine but I used what I had on hand.)
- Ribbon of your choice (I used 1” velvet ribbon from Hobby Lobby that was 40% off.)
Make the Garland
- Start by tying a small loop at the end of your twine. You’ll use the loop to hang your garland, so make it as small or large as needed.
- Using a hot glue gun, place your first pinecone on the twine at the base by the loop and glue. Make sure that the pinecone is pointed straight out and not laying on its side.
- Glue your next pine cone pointing in the opposite direction. Move down slightly and glue a third pinecone filling in the gap of the first two and so on. You’ll be staggering the pinecones as you move down your twine. Pick through your pinecones to find ones that work well together, filling in any large gaps the bets you can.
- Once you have your garland at the desired length, cut your twine with several extra inches and make a loop for hanging.
Placing each pinecone can be a bit tedious, but I absolutely love how this garland turned out. It was well worth the time. I hung mine on our living room fireplace mantle. This would be so pretty sweeping across the top of a mirror, over a hutch or on a staircase banister. I would love to know if you make your one where you end up hanging it.
This is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable decorating idea for the holidays. This garland could be used at Christmas as well. I plan to just swap out the gold ribbon for red or green. This garland could also be wired to a wreath form to make a pinecone wreath. It really is a great fall project that won’t break the bank!
I hope you all find this tutorial helpful and since this weekend is the official start to fall, I wish you all a beautiful fall season!
Beautiful Fall feels! I love how this looks and will definitely make one of my own. So nice to see you back blogging, Amanda. Something about Fall, right? Just brings out the nesting urge.
I have always wanted to make one of these. I especially love the smaller pinecones. Thanks for the instructions. It looks so pretty on your fireplace.
Karen B.
If you decide to wire the cones, you’ll have a wreath or roping that will last for decades, even outside.. I made one for my parents Barn, a 6 footer, in 1981. They just sold it and few years ago as they’d gotten tired of it after 40 years
So to use wired cones and not have them look droopy and too loose and wiggly, place the wire around the lower, base area of the cones. Leave a long enough “tail” to tie onto a metal form or post or whatever. Then the trick: pit all the cones in water, enough to cover them. They will magically close up! Then wire them onto the frame, tightly. Then they’ll gradually reopen and it will be the plushest, fullest use of cones. They won’t wiggle, flop, sag for at least 40 yrs! I used the big cones that you can find in southern Tx/Houston and other southern states, but probably lots of other states, too. I was shocked at how well they held up over the years.. ..outside in Minnesota even., hanging at the high barn hayloft level.
Lovely swag you made. I liked the old fashioned
ribbon, too. Thanks for sharing!
What a great tip to soak pinecones after wiring so they can be placed closer together. I’ll have to give that a try! Thanks for the tip!
Your home is always so pretty. I love your classy simple style.