Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Kanzashi

Let me introduce you to my latest crafting obesession: kanzashi. Kanzashi is the Japanese art of folding flower petals, an art form which was originally used to create elaborate hairpieces. This technique first came to my attention a few years ago with the publication of Kanzashi in Bloom, but it wasn't until Clover came out with these clever kanzashi-makers (Fabric Depot is running a nice sale on them) that I decided to give the technique a try.


I have only made kanzashi with the Clover templates but they produce nice results and I love that they're dead easy to use. You simply fold the template over a piece of fabric, trim the excess, then run a needle and thread through the template holes in the indicated order (see the templates in action here). You can string together any number of petals on the same thread and when you pull the thread tight and knot the two ends--voila--instant flower! I can easily knock together several of these flowers in one sitting.


I'm looking forward to more experimenting and eventually making kanzashi without the aid of a template. I aspire to someday make kanzashi half as lovely as what is on the 'Gaijin Geisha' page of this website, but in the meantime I'm happy making some simple flowers.

8 comments:

ThingsTreasured said...

Those are lovely!!! Hmm, the only thing really preventing me from checking this out as that I am hoping to get a spinning wheel very soon. Otherwise this looks like something I would have fun getting into! So pretty!

Kristin said...

Crystal, can you get a copy of 'Kanzashi in Bloom' from your local library? That will teach you to make these without a template and, since flowers can be made from scrap fabric, it will keep the cost to a minimum.

Unknown said...

those are so adorable! can'ta wait to try it! ;)

Bobbi said...

Pretty! Of course these come from you - you seem to be the queen of simply beautiful things.

Maria said...

pretty pretty!! I got the book, but I haven't had an opportunity to make anything from it yet.

Kristin said...

Alicia, Bobbi and Maria,

Thanks for your nice comments! I encourage you to try out making these flower because they're simple and a lot of fun.

At the rate the I am going, I suspect that several people will be getting flowers for Christmas/birthday/etc gifts this year. They're a nice little gift at a very small price.

-Kristin

complicated said...

its awesome dear

Helga Marie Bee said...

how awesome- thank you for posting .
I will have to go explore my local craftstore this weekend!