How to Make Fabric Kanzashi Flowers

How to Make Fabric Kanzashi Flowers

Fabric Kanzashi flowers are stunning 3-dimensional decorations often used in Japanese hair styling and clothing. These flowers create a beautiful, timeless addition to any look and can be made with a variety of fabrics and techniques. With practice, you can learn how to make fabric Kanzashi flowers to incorporate into your own creations.

Instruction

1. Gather your supplies. You will need scissors, fabric, needle, thread, pins, craft glue and a cup or container. For your fabric, use a polyester blend such as polycotton or polyester silk for the best results.
2. Cut the fabric into a strip. Cut the fabric along the grain in a width of 3-4 inches and a length of 20-30 inches.
3. Fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise. Start pinning the edges together at one end, approximately 8-10 inches from the top. Move the pins approximately every two inches, until all the fabric is pinned together.
4. Thread the needle and sew the fabric together, leaving the top 8-10 inches open. Backstitch where you start and finish sewing to keep the seam secure. Make sure it is tight but not too tight.
5. Turn the fabric piece right side out. Gently turn the fabric so that the seams are inside and the right side of the fabric is outside. You may need to use a pencil or other pointed tool to turn the corners and edges. Once the fabric is turned right side out, you can use a cup or other container to help hold the shape of the form.
6. Secure the base of the flower. Start by gluing or stitching the base of the flower together. You can glue or sew the last few inches to keep the base in place.
7. Gather and tie the top of the flower. Tie the top of the flower in a knot or bow and secure with a couple of stitches. Trim the extra thread if desired.
8. Separate the petals. Carefully separate the petals and spread them out. You may need to use a pencil or other pointed tool to separate the petals to get the desired effect.
9. Enjoy your fabric Kanzashi flower. You now have a beautiful 3-dimensional fabric flower that can be used for any number of decorative projects.