You are currently viewing Half & Half Halloween Wreath Tutorial

Half & Half Halloween Wreath Tutorial

Halloween is my one of favorite times to craft because it lets me go bold, spooky, and just a little bit extra. This year, I wanted to try something totally different: a Half & Half Halloween Wreath. One side is sleek, painted clothespins in black and white. The other side? A riot of Halloween ribbon bundles exploding with color and texture.

I call it a “split personality” wreath, and today I’m showing you exactly how to make it. This step-by-step blog gives you all the details, so you can make your own. Grab your stuff and let’s get crafty!

Materials & Tools

Materials:

Tools:

👉 Looking for supplies? I’ve gathered my favorite wreath-making tools and materials on my affiliate recommendations page. You’ll find options for ribbons, frames, glue guns, and more.

Step 1: Paint the Clothespins

We’ll start with the clothespins since they take a little drying time. You’ll need 42 clothespins total:

  • 21 black + 1
  • 21 white + 1

Plus one or two extras of each color, just in case one breaks. Because if it’s going to happen, it’ll happen to me!

This is where Maker Math comes in:

  • A 14″ frame has 6 sections.
  • Each section fits 14 clothespins.
  • We’re only covering 3 sections (half the frame), so 42 clothespins it is.

I use chalk paint and cover every single side: top, bottom, inside, even the little metal piece. You can spray paint yours, dip them in diluted paint, or just do a quick coat. But me? I put on a podcast and paint them like my life depends on it.

Pro tip: Clip them onto a plastic plate while drying so they don’t stick. Wear gloves if, like me, you don’t want paint under your nails for a week.

Step 2: Cut & Bundle the Ribbons

Next up, ribbons! Each ribbon piece will be cut to 12 inches long.

This is where Maker Math comes in again:

  • The wreath base has 6 sections.
  • We’re targeting half the wreath, so 3 sections.
  • In each section, we’ll use 6 ribbon bundles.
  • That gives us a total of 18 ribbon bundles.

To get there, I’ll be cutting:

  • 18 pieces of black glitter ribbon (this one goes in every bundle)
  • 9 pieces of each of the other ribbon patterns

I created two bundle “sets”:

  • Set 1: black glitter, bats, diamonds, skeletons
  • Set 2: black glitter, spiders, crows, pumpkins

Once all the ribbons are cut, I dovetail the ends by folding them in half lengthwise and cutting at an angle. You don’t have to, but I think it gives a polished, professional finish.

To bundle, cut black pipe cleaners in half. Crisscross your ribbons, scrunch the center, and twist tightly with a pipe cleaner. (I admit it, I’m an “over-twister.” But really, a couple twists will do the trick.)

Step 3: Prep the Spooky Sign

For the centerpiece, I used a wooden “Spooky” sign with a little ghost on top. At first, I tried a black-and-white dotted version, but it blended right into the clothespins. Lesson learned: contrast is everything.

The second version, bright orange letters with a white ghost, popped beautifully against the black and white clothespins and tied into the orange accents in the ribbon. That’s the one I went with.

Step 4: Assemble the Base

Time to bring it all together!

Clothespin Side:

Clip your clothespins in alternating black and white. I placed one pin on the second ring in from the center, and the next on the third ring. Keep alternating until you’ve filled 3 sections of the frame.

Ribbon Side:

This is where it gets gloriously full. Instead of my usual 5 bundles per section, I went with 6: 3 on the inside ring and 3 on the outside ring. Alternate between Set 1 and Set 2 for variety.

I recommend working with the wreath upside down, securing pipe cleaners on the back, so the ribbons don’t flop into your workspace. Once flipped over, you’ll see a mass of ribbons bursting with Halloween spirit.

Step 5: Embellish & Finish

Now for the fun details! Here’s what I added:

  • Mini skulls: Some front and center, others tucked into ribbons for a creepy peek-a-boo effect.
  • Orange mini ornaments: Glued inside a few ribbon bundles for sparkle.
  • Googly eyes: Perfectly sized to sit on clothespins. (Warning: big hands plus tiny googly eyes equals patience required!)
  • Glittery bones & spiders: White bones for contrast, orange and purple spiders for extra pop.

Finish by tying on a piece of jute cord so you can hang your creation.

The Final Reveal

And there she is: half prim and proper, half wild and spooky. A wreath with a split personality and just the right dose of Halloween drama.

I love how this turned out, and I’ll definitely be making more “Half & Half” wreaths in the future. The contrast is bold, the ribbons explode with color, and it’s a project that’s fun for beginners and seasoned crafters alike.

Keep Crafting with Me

🎃 Want more Halloween DIY ideas? Browse my Halloween Playlist.
🎀 Obsessed with wreaths? Don’t miss my DIY Wreath Tutorials Playlist.
✨ Ready to shop for supplies? Check out my affiliate recommendations page where I share all my favorite tools for wreath making, dot painting, candle crafting, and more.

So tell me, are you Team Clothespin or Team Ribbon? Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear which side you’d pick.

Tags: , , , ,