Kanzashi technique for beginners

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

Many people are now doing needlework. Of course, every craftswoman wants to give her creation beauty and liveliness. This effect can be achieved in many ways, for example, using the kanzashi technique to decorate embroidery, knitting or sewing. Or go further in the search for the use of kanzashi - make a wonderful accessory, for example, a hairpin or bracelet by making flowers from satin ribbons. In a word, the kanzashi technique will help both decorate the finished product and make an independent toilet item. You will find in this article the answer to the question of what kind of technique it is, step-by-step instructions for implementation, training videos.

Flower making: what techniques exist

There are many ways to create beautiful flowers that can serve not only as a decoration for something, but also as an independent composition. There is a great variety of techniques for their implementation, for every taste and any complexity of manufacturing. Moreover, flowers can be made not only from fabric or satin ribbons. For example:

• whole bouquets allows you to get beading;
• macrame and tatting - knot weaving techniques - may be preferred for unusual, airy inflorescences;
• you can also resort to knitting, embroidery, sewing.

The most important thing is to have desire and show imagination. However, it is generally accepted that the most realistic and beautiful flowers are obtained if they are made using kanzashi.

What is the kanzashi technique?

It's easy to guess from the name that this technique has Japanese roots. Indeed, the origin of kanzashi began in Japan. However, initially this term referred exclusively to jewelry for hairstyles - hairpins, combs, headbands, pins. Japanese women decorated their hairstyles with accessories, the we alth of which was determined by the woman's position in society, her we alth (the we alth of her husband, family).

Crane bone was considered the most expensive material for making kanzashi. Japanese craftsmen, using special tongs and rice glue, created not just petals from squares of silk fabric, they created whole compositions, unique and unusually beautiful. Over time, the meaning of the term has changed, now the kanzashi technique is called flowers made of satin ribbons, fabric patches, which are used not only as decoration for hairstyles, but also for interior decoration, embroideries, caskets, etc. Not only flowers can be made using this technique. It also allows you to create birds and butterflies. However, it is flowers, petals and leaves that are the mostpopular.

Required Materials

You don't need any expensive materials to make kanzashi flowers. Everything you need is quite accessible to everyone who wants to do needlework. So, first of all, satin ribbons are needed. The size can be chosen arbitrarily. The most commonly used tapes, the width of which is from 2.5 to 5 centimeters. Of course, you need scissors that are comfortable for you, which cut well, that is, sharp. To work with small elements, as well as in order to hold the petals, you need tweezers. Although it would be more correct to say that tweezers are needed, first and foremost, to hold the petals at the stage of their formation.

You will also need threads with needles, a ruler, tongs or pliers, a set of pins, a pencil (tailor's is best), glue ("Superglue"), a lighter or a candle - this will be needed to melt the cut edges of the ribbons. And you need a product that you are going to decorate - a hairpin, an elastic band with a metal insert, a bracelet, a headband. But if you are only interested in learning the kanzashi technique, then in this case nothing is needed in addition to the basic materials.

Don't be afraid to try something new

There is nothing wrong with wanting to change hobbies, find a new hobby, try something new, or just broaden your horizons and improve your skills. New doesn't mean bad. The kanzashi technique for beginners is quite simple. But only on the condition that you are diligent, diligent, follow the instructions exactly andhave patience. So, the kanzashi technique from satin ribbons for beginners, or rather a description of the necessary actions for the successful manufacture of flowers, is given below.

Kanzashi step by step technique

There are two types of petals: sharp and rounded. The kanzashi technique (do-it-yourself jewelry making, namely the manufacture of flowers) includes the processing of sections with the flame of a candle or lighter. It is necessary to strictly observe safety precautions, and also not to bring the flame too close and for a long time to the fabric in order to avoid ignition and, as a result, a fire.

So, from the tapes you need to cut even squares. Their size depends on the width of the tape you have chosen - if the width is 5 centimeters, then the length must be 5 centimeters. Sections must be treated with a flame.

The number of squares depends on how many petals you want to get. Using tweezers (it is necessary to hold the ends of the square), you need to fold an even triangle so that the fold is on top.

Then put the right and left corners of the resulting triangle together. Then the newly formed corners are formed in the same way. If necessary, the folds are corrected. Cut the ends a little so that there are no sharp corners. Now you need to lightly fasten the ends of the fabric together by passing the petal over the flame of a candle or lighter. At the same time, the edges are clamped with tweezers; everything must be done quickly, without waiting for the tissue to ignite. It is important to remember that it is the ends of the fabric that are fastened together, thenthere are not along the entire length of the cut, but only sharp ends!

The photo shows a more complex version - petals, consisting of two fragments. However, it is clearly visible what should happen. In another version of the manufacture of sharp petals, it is necessary to cut a circle out of the square and fold it exactly as indicated in the photo below.

The way the finished petal turns out is also different - in the first version there is a hole between the walls of the fabric, in the second version it is fastened with threads and a slightly different folding, as a result, the petal looks solid.

Round petals

In order to get petals with a rounded end, you need to fold the square of the tape into a triangle so that the fold is on top, while holding the ends with tweezers. The lateral edges of the resulting triangle are reduced to the lower end. In this case, the folds are obtained from above, on the sides. Next, the side corners that turned out on top of the folds must be pulled back, you need to check that the edges are evenly folded, all ends are held with tweezers.

Now, as in the variant of sharp petals, neatly sharp corners are cut off, which are held with tweezers, and then slightly melted. The edges of the petal must also be melted and glued. You can press the fabric with your fingers while it is still hot after contact with the flame.

Assembly of flowers

After the required number of petals is obtained, assembly work beginscolors. That's what a needle and thread is for. However, you can also resort to the adhesive base, but in this case the product turns out to be less accurate.

So, the circle is the base of the flower. It is cut out of thick paper or cardboard, then covered with fabric. It is advisable to take the fabric of the same color as you want to get the product. The wrong sides must be glued to the base and the flower. Optionally, you can make the core, leaves, curls. The resulting flowers can be attached to a hair clip, decorate a gift box with it, or create a small bouquet.

Tutorial videos

In order to better understand the technique of making flowers, as well as in order to get ideas that may turn out to be more original than those originally chosen, you can and should watch training and introductory videos.

For clarity, it is worth watching more than one video. Perhaps someone is more understandable in the presentation of information, while someone does not know how to explain at all. This is the second reason why you should not stop at a single video. The so-called DIY, which shows the actual use of the resulting colors, closes the video sequence.

So, fantasize, create, develop, everything is in your hands!