How To Craft A Stunning DIY Sunflower Wreath With Pinecones
Hey friends, are you looking for an inexpensive fall wreath idea? I can’t wait to show you this DIY Sunflower Wreath tutorial. Y’all know I love to forage for free materials to decorate my home, and this wreath is no exception. This DIY pinecone wreath is easy and practically free to make. I’ve crafted the pinecones into stunning sunflowers for an instant way to add a refreshing fall ambiance to your home. So grab a few pinecones and let’s get started.
Inspiration For A Sunflower Wreath
Pinecones are easily found around our property and, therefore, a natural option for many craft ideas. However, this idea for a pinecone wreath was inspired by a recent trip to the beach, where I saw many large pinecones along the roadside. They were much larger than the ones falling beneath our trees, and I stopped to pick up a few.
As I was studying the bottom of the cones, I envisioned a sunflower, and a new wreath idea was born.
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Where To Get Pinecones For Free
Did you know you can purchase pinecones? For someone who lives in the south, the idea of paying for pinecones seems silly.
However, since pine trees are primarily found in the Northern Hemisphere, I understand that the availability of pinecones for purchase is necessary.
If you have pine trees in your area, you also have pinecones that are available for free. I often stop along the roadsides to pick free flowers, pinecones, and other materials to use for my crafts.
I recommend taking a drive into the country to find your free supplies.
How To Make A DIY Pinecone Wreath For Almost Free
In addition to foraging for free pinecones, you can make a DIY pinecone wreath for free by recycling an old wreath.
This project doesn’t require a new wreath because you will cover the entire surface with pinecone sunflowers.
If you don’t have a wreath to recycle, you can find a cheap one at a thrift store or consignment shop.
Look for a sturdy grapevine or rattan base and remove all the old florals.
If you have craft paints and hot glue on hand, you can make this wreath for FREE.
Supplies Needed For DIY Sunflower Wreath
- Large Pinecones (Approximately 6 – 10, depending on the size of the cones and wreath)
- 1 Recycled Grapevine Wreath or 15-inch wreath
- Craft Paint Deep Ochre
- Marigold Craft Paint
- Raw Umber Craft Paint
- Basil Craft Paint
- White Chalk Paint
- White Spray Paint (Matte)
- Hot Glue Gun
- Pruning Loppers
- Small Pruning Shears
How To Cut Pinecones Into Sunflowers
Pinecones have a very sturdy core, and the only tricky part of this project is cutting the pinecones.
After attempting to cut the cones with regular pruning shears, we quickly moved on to larger Pruning Loppers. They have a larger open range and can easily cut the core of the pinecones.
I enlisted the help of my husband, as he is much stronger than I, and made quick work of cutting the cones.
I could have done the task, but with much more effort. LOL
To cut the core of the pinecones, begin at the bottom, leaving several rows of petals above the separation line.
You should be able to get two to three sections from each large pinecone. Several of the petals will break away during the separation process. Save them to make leaves for the sunflower wreath.
You will also need to trim the centers of the pinecones to remove any broken or jagged petals.
How To Paint The Pinecones To Look Like Sunflowers
Begin by preparing a spot to spray paint your pinecones. I used cardboard and some wax paper to cover a small table.
Next, lay the cut cones upright and paint with the white matte spray paint.
Try to allow the paint to get in between the petals as much as possible. You don’t need perfect coverage.
The spray paint will dry quickly if you don’t over-saturate the pinecones.
Insider Tip
Adding a coat of spray paint beforehand will save you time when hand-painting the sunflower details.
You may need to apply two coats of craft paint to each cone, without using the spray paint. Because hand painting is a slower process, you will be glad you took the extra step of spray painting first.
Next, begin to paint the petals to create a sunflower wreath. I used a combination of white chalk paint and the two golden paint colors.
Painting Sunflower Details
To hand-paint the sunflower design, use an uneven mixture of the three colors to create a rustic, neutral style.
Paint each petal along the upper rows and work some color into the lower petals if possible. Once again, don’t worry about perfection. You will see lighter and darker areas on each one, which adds a handcrafted, authentic appeal to your project.
You can look at the video to see how I mixed the colors as I painted.
I wanted to keep my wreath semi-neutral and used white chalk paint to mellow the yellow tones. However, you can use bright yellows if you prefer.
After the petals are painted, add the sunflower centers by painting the core with raw umber craft paint.
Finally, paint the broken petals with basil green to represent the leaves for the flowers.
Add Pinecones To Make Sunflower Wreath
Now you are ready to add the painted pinecones to craft the DIY Sunflower Wreath.
Insider Tip
For this final step, I recommend a trial run.
Lay the pinecones on the wreath to determine placement before adding any glue.
Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, move them aside, but maintain the same order.
Add hot glue to the back side of the pinecone sunflowers and press them into the grapevine wreath. Hold them in place until the glue sets.
Once all the sunflowers are in place, fill in any gaps with the green petals.
Hang DIY Sunflower Wreath
The DIY Sunflower Wreath will look lovely indoors or outside on a porch. I recommend a covered area to protect your new wreath from water damage.
It’s hard to believe this is a pinecone wreath. Don’t you love how the colors pop against the black shutter? Thanks for stopping by today.
How To Craft A Stunning Sunflower Wreath with Pinecones
Equipment
- Pruning Loppers
- Pruning Shears
- Hot glue gun
Materials
- Pinecones
- Grapevine Wreath
- Craft Paints
- White Chalk Paint
- White Spray Paint
Instructions
- Cut Pinecone into two or three sections using pruning loppers
- Trim any damaged areas from the centers with pruning shears
- Spray paint pinecones with white paint.
- Hand paint with yellows and white craft paint pinecone petals to resemble sunflower petals.
- Add raw umber paint to the centers of the pinecones to resemble the flowers center
- Paint broken petals with basil green to resemble flower leaves
- Use hot glue to attach the pinecone sunflowers and petals to the grapevine wreath.
Pin It To Remember It
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Good Satuday Morning….WOW
wish I knew this when I lived up north…..Very pretty…..free looks fabulous.
Eva,
I am so glad you like this. Thanks for stopping by.
This is adorably cute and so creative!!!
Susan,
I’m so glad you like it. Thanks for sharing.
Rachel, omg I love this wreath!! So stinkin’ cute. Also, it was on my Google discover just now.
Jennifer,
Thank you so much. I’m so glad it made discover.
Love this!!! Can’t wait to make it🌻
Connie,
Please let me know how it turns out for you. Thanks.
Thank you very fun,creative mind💓🫂
Thank you for stopping by today.
Rachel, oh my gosh, this is DARLING!!! I can’t wait to try it!
Kaille,
Oh, I’m so glad you like it. Thanks for stopping by.
This wreath is adorable!! I love it, Rachel!!
Kim,
Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words.
The hot glue on the wreath doesn’t hold in our Texas heat. With temps during the summer at 100+ everyday, I have to wire mine on. And actually, I do hot glue them first and then wire them. It helps to hold them in place while I wire them on. 😊
Jo,
That’s a good idea. Thanks for sharing.
This stunning and I am the rare person who doesn’t like sunflowers but I like this wreath and am going to make this wreath.
The only thing I would do differently is when I got the pinecones home I would bake them in the oven to kill the bugs/insects in them.
Pam,
I failed to mention that put them in the freezer before working with them.
Well, guess what I’m picking up when I visit Wisconsin ….. and a few friends will be getting sunflower wreaths. Thank you for this brilliant idea ☺️.
…… Beverly
Beverly,
I’m so glad you like this. Thanks for your kind words.
Hi Rachel! I love this! I made a pinecone wreath years ago with a friend and it was so much fun and i loved it. I hope to try this sunflower one. Thank you for sharing!
Cheryl,
I’m so glad you liked this one. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Rachel! ….Is there another effective way to cut the pinecones as I do not have the pruning shears or the pruning loppers. I just wouldn’t need them for anything other than for this project so I prefer to not make the investment. Thank you for sharing this and all your ideas! I’m a newbie to your newsletter and other links! 🙂❤️
Jan,
I tried to cut them with regular pruning shears but I don’t have the strength in my hands to cut through the cone. If I can think of another way to cut them, I’ll let you know. Thanks for following along with me.
I love how mine turned out. I couldn’t easily get my hands on huge pinecones but still looks great with average and small size mixed.
Cheryl,
I’m so glad it turned out great. Thank you for sharing.
This girl from Kansas is in LOVE with your Sunflower Pinecone wreath!!! I will be making LOTS of these beauties with my Senior Chic ladies at an Independent Living facility. THANK YOU FOR THE INSPO, Rachel!
Julie,
I’m so glad you found this tutorial helpful. Please let me know how they turn out. I love to share them on my DRA on Sundays.
Just want you to know that I am thinking of you and praying for you this weekend. You have Jesus in your heart so you are NEVER alone. We all love you sweet girl and know you will have a long recovery but also know that you have done everything possible to prepare yourself the this trial. Stay strong and hold on. Sending love from Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, Washington
Connie
Connie,
I appreciate your message so much! Thank you for your good wishes. I’ve just received my schedule for Monday. My surgery begins at 7:30am EDT 8/18/25. I appreciate all the good throught your can send my way. Have a blessed weekend.