How to Make a Stunning Square Take Apart Grapevine Wreath for Late Summer and Into Fall

If you are looking for a wreath design that feels different, eye-catching, and perfect for that in-between season from late summer into fall, a square take apart grapevine wreath is such a fun project to try. Square grapevines are not something you see every day, which makes them a great choice if you sell your designs or just want something unique for your own front door. In this tutorial, the wreath starts with a large 20-inch square grapevine base that gets gently taken apart, stretched, and reshaped to create a fuller, more dimensional design. Then it is decorated with a charming truck attachment, draping ivy, colorful leaves, orange sunflowers, and a pretty fall ribbon.

What makes this wreath so special is the shape and depth. By deconstructing the grapevine just a bit, you create room for larger attachments, like a truck, lantern, church, or oversized seasonal piece. The square shape also gives you beautiful corners to work from, making it easy to create greenery that cascades and flows naturally. This design has a fall feel, but because it uses sunflowers, greenery, and softer accent colors, it can easily work for late summer too.

Supply List

20-inch square grapevine wreath
Bind wire or vine wire
Wire cutters
Truck attachment
Fall ribbon
Ivy greenery or ivy garland
Small vine garland
Orange sunflowers
Apple leaves or ficus-style greenery
Colorful fall leaves
Swirl fern or ruscus greenery
Bead grass or other draping greenery
Hot glue gun or glue pot
Glue sticks
Floral foam or Styrofoam for truck bed, if needed
Weaving needle, optional
Trash box or bag for grapevine debris

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Square Grapevine Base

Start with a 20-inch square grapevine wreath. Many square grapevines are wired together for extra stability, so the first step is to carefully remove the wire. Use wire cutters to snip and unwind the wire from the frame.

Once the wire is removed, gently begin pulling the grapevine apart. Do not be nervous if leaves, sticks, or small pieces fall out. That is normal, especially with grapevine. Since this is a fall design, some of the natural dried leaves and texture can actually add to the look.

As you pull the grapevine apart, the wreath will become larger, looser, and deeper. You can stretch it out quite a bit, even up to several inches in depth. This gives you more room to nestle in a large attachment and create a fuller design.

2. Secure the Grapevine Shape

After the grapevine is opened up, use bind wire to gently hold it together in a few places. Choose areas that will later be covered with florals or greenery, such as an upper corner. This keeps the frame secure while still allowing it to look natural and airy.

Do not wrap it too tightly. You want the grapevine to keep its loose, organic look.

3. Attach the Truck

Next, decide where you want your truck attachment to sit. For this design, the truck is placed so it looks like it is driving out from the wreath. This gives the whole piece movement and personality.

Flip the truck over and look for places where wire can be attached, such as around the tires or through the structure underneath. Use vine wire or bind wire because it blends into the grapevine better than shiny wire. Secure the truck in several spots so it does not shift or fall out.

Because the grapevine has been loosened, you can tuck the truck right into the frame. The grapevine itself will help hold the attachment in place.

4. Add Draping Ivy

Now start building that beautiful cascading look. Cut pieces of ivy and tuck them into the upper corner of the wreath. Let some pieces flow downward and others reach out to the side.

Lightly tack the ivy in place with small pieces of bind wire or glue. You do not want it to look overly controlled. The goal is to keep the greenery flowing naturally, almost like it is growing from the grapevine.

Ivy works especially well for this design because it gives that soft, draping effect.

5. Make and Attach the Bow

Choose a ribbon that pulls all your colors together. A fall ribbon with orange, blue, peach, or warm tones works beautifully. Make a simple bow with about 12-inch tails and multiple loops. If you are using only one ribbon, an odd number of loops gives the bow a nice full look.

Attach the bow to the upper corner of the wreath using bind wire. Fluff the loops and shape the tails. You can bend one ribbon tail upward slightly so it does not hang lower than your ivy. This little detail adds movement and keeps the design balanced.

6. Weave in More Vine and Greenery

Cut small pieces from an ivy garland or vine garland. Glue one end near the bow and weave the greenery through the loops so it looks like it is growing through the bow. Add a few more pieces around the truck and along the side of the wreath to carry the draping effect throughout the design.

You can also let some vine crawl up the side of the grapevine for a natural look.

7. Add Leaves and Color

Next, add colorful fall leaves in peach, blue, yellow, or orange tones. Place some near the bow and some closer to the truck so the color travels through the whole wreath.

Apple leaves, ficus-style greenery, swirl fern, or ruscus are great for filling holes and adding texture. Keep the greenery balanced from top to bottom and side to side.

8. Add the Sunflowers

Orange sunflowers are the star of this design. Place them in a stair-step pattern so the eye moves naturally through the wreath. Add one toward the lower section, one near the side, and one closer to the top.

Before gluing, bend the stems so the flower heads face forward or slightly to the side. You do not want them lying flat against the wreath. Angling the flowers makes the design look fuller and more professional.

9. Decorate the Truck Bed

If your truck has an open bed, add a small piece of floral foam or Styrofoam inside. Cover it with greenery, small leaves, vines, bead grass, or a few leftover florals. Make sure to decorate the back, sides, and front because people may view the wreath from different angles.

A little bead grass or draping vine hanging out of the truck bed looks adorable and helps tie the truck into the rest of the wreath.

10. Finish and Check the Balance

Step back and look at the wreath from the front. Add small pieces of greenery or leaves anywhere you see gaps. Make sure the color is balanced, the truck is secure, and the ivy flows nicely from the corner.

This finished square take apart grapevine wreath is full of charm, texture, and movement. It is perfect for late summer, early fall, craft fairs, front doors, or even sitting on a table because of its unique shape and dimension.