Happy Camper Wreath Rail Tutorial

For so many of us, summer time means camping time! Such a fun tradition to share with family and friends. I’m sharing my Happy Camper wreath rail tutorial with you. This project is so cute and makes the perfect summer door decor!

If your family is a camping family, this is the perfect project for you! Even if you don’t camp, everybody likes a “happy camper” and this is still a fun option for your summer door. I love this Happy Camper wreath rail because it has several bright colors and lots of detail.

In the video below, you will see how I select my mesh and ribbons to bring out the pretty colors in the wreath rail. Then I show you how to assemble everything in a way that brings all those colors and patterns together. It’s a whole lot of fun, you guys!

How to Make a Happy Camper Wreath Rail

I am really loving these printed wreath rails you guys! This one is especially cute with the clouds popping up above the camper. I just love all the details so much. If you know me, you know how much I love bright colors and how much I love to use as many as possible.

If the variety of ribbons that I use for this project is a bit much for you, no worries! You can absolutely tone this down a bit by using fewer colors. All you really need is two main colors and one accent color. Just choose shades that compliment the colors in the sign and you will be all set!

For those of you who love to use florals, this rail would look so pretty with some flowers mixed in! You could go with some dainty white flowers as an accent or choose florals that match the colors in the sign. The options are endless and I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!

As a little bonus, in this video I also show you how to roll with the punches when your supplies start running out mid craft. It’s no reason to panic or run out to the store for more supplies. You just have to be willing to adapt and change our design a little bit. Sometimes my favorite designs come from things like this happening! It’s easy to get into a design you love and stick with it. When you have to adapt a little, however, you may find a new way of doing things that you love even more.

Happy Camper Wreath Rail Supply List:

• Printed Happy Camper wreath rail
• 21” deco mesh
  • denim blue
• 10” deco mesh
  • Emerald green
  • Golden yellow
• Pipe cleaners
• Rotary cutter
• Scissors
• 2- 2.5” ribbon
• 2- 1.5” ribbon
• Tubing:
  • Light blue
  • Lime green
  • Black
• EZ Bow Maker (optional)

DIY Happy Camper Wreath Rail Instructions:

1. Start by attaching 6 pipe cleaners evenly around the center rail of the wreath rail.
2. Next, take the blue mesh, roll up the end a little and make a ruffle. Add that to the tie on one end of your rail. Then make a poof with the mesh and add the other end of it to the next rail. Continue this until you come to the end of your rail and then leave about 10” and trim the mesh off the roll. Use that extra 10” to make a ruffle at the end of the rail.
3. Now cut 6- 10” strips of the green and gold mesh. Roll one of each into a curl and then lay one on top of each other to make an X. Add the center of the X to each twist tie.
4. Use your ribbon tail board to cut 5- 14” ribbon tails of a 2.5” and 1.5” ribbon.
5. Take one of each type of ribbon tail and place one on top of the other. Fold the tails in half and pinch the center together. Attach the center pinch to a twist tie on the wreath frame. Repeat with the remaining ribbon tails and twist ties.
6. Cut 6- 20” strips of each of your tubing colors. Lay one of each together and make them into a circle. Pinch the center of the bow tie and add that to each of the twist ties.
7. Next we make a bow! Get out your EZ Bow Maker and your ribbons. Start by cutting a 20” strip of deco mesh and using it to make a bow shaped ruffle to be the base of your bow. Then, with a 2.5” ribbon, measure an 8” tail, twist the ribbon and then add it to the bowmaker. Then make a 6” loop, twist, add it to the bowmaker. Make another loop on the other side then trim after a 8” tail.
8. Use another 2.5” ribbon to repeat the same process making four loops this time and your loops a little smaller this time.
9. Then use a 1.5” ribbon to make 4 loops using the same process and then again with another 1.5” ribbon.
10. For the final layer of the bow use another 1.5” ribbon to make two smaller loops.
11. Take two pipe cleaners and twist the ends together to make one long pipe cleaner. Remove your bow from the bow maker and use the long pipe cleaner to secure the center of the bow twisting it off at the back. Dovetail and/or angle cut the ends of your tails.
12. Finally, use the pipe cleaners to push through the mesh and attach the bow to the rail.

And, I hope that whatever your summer brings it is full of fun and good memories. Whether that’s in a camper, on the beach, or hanging out in the back yard with a cold beverage. Have fun crafting and have fun relaxing!

If you need any help with painting your own wood signs or wreath rails and decorating your custom wreath rails, be sure to check out more of our tutorials on Hot Mesh Mom Blog.

We would love to see your amazing wreath rail designs! Please share with us over at the Hot Mesh Mom Facebook.

Just pin this project tutorial to save the instructions for later!