Make Kanzashi Hair Bows
The Japanese art of silk fabric folded flowers is referred to as kanzashi. In Japan, the art is traditionally called "Hana Tsumami Kanzashi." The word "Hana" means flower and "Tsumami" refers to the process of folding fabric squares. The word "Kanzashi" refers to the hair ornaments which were traditionally worn by Japanese geishas. Fabric folding has grown in popularity with crafters and has led to implementing other fabric types and trims. The kanzashi hair clip bow generally has two flowers attached to a plated gold or silver hair clip resembling a bow.
Instructions
Folding the Kanzashi Flower Petal
1. Cut eight fabric squares with fabric scissors to avoid jagged edges. Follow dimensions such as 2 inches wide by 2 inches long. Bear in mind that the width and length of the square is the approximate size of the flower. For instance, a 2-by-2 inch square results in a 2-inch flower.
2. Fold the lower left corner diagonally to the upper right corner. Run your finger along the fabric fold line to smooth out the fold. The folded square now looks like a triangle.
3. Position the folded triangle upright. The fold line faces your left hand and the open point faces your right hand.
4. Take the lower triangle point and fold it to the top triangle point to form a smaller triangle. Two fold lines are facing your left and two open flaps are diagonally facing your right. Do not rotate the mini triangle.
5. Pull the top flap point down to the lower right point. Smooth the fold lines by running your index finger along the lines.
6. Flip the triangle over. The fold lines are on the right and the open flaps face the left.
7. Pull the extended flap point down to the lower left point. Smooth the fold lines by running your index finger along the lines. The open flaps are facing your left.
8. Hold the triangle from the open flap point. Turn the bottom triangle up to face you. Three visible folds are revealed, which is the start of the kanzashi flower petal. Keep in mind the two open flap points are facing the back.
9. Pull the left back point toward the front folds. Pull the right back point toward the front folds. You will have five visible folds forming the kanzashi flower petal. Place a straight pin through the bottom base of the petal to secure the folds in place. Bear in mind piercing through several textile layers is challenging especially thick fabric such as duchess satin, brocades or rib knits.
10. Repeat Steps 2 through 8 with the remaining fabric squares. The petals have visible fold lines with a triangle shaped extension at the base of the petal.
11. Snip away the triangle shaped extension at the base of the petal. Make sure you do not cut away the folded fabric layers.
Forming the Kanzashi Flower
12. Thread a hand sewing needle approximately 12 inches in length. Match the thread color to your fabric.
13. Remove the straight pin from the base of one flower petal. Hold the base of the petal to avoid the folds from opening.
14. Pass the threaded needle through the base. Make sure you pass the needle through all of the folds to ensure the petal remains intact.
15. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with the remaining pinned flower petals by passing the needle through the base of petals. Push the threaded petals gently together. The flower will begin to form.
16. Pull the thread tails of the petals. Place one tail end over the other to make a loose knot. Pull the loose ends tightly and the kanzashi flower forms. Place one tail end over the other and pull through the loop to form another tight knot. This will hold the kanzashi flower in place.
17.Trace a circle approximately 3/4 inches in circumference with a circle template on pattern paper and cut out. Pin the circle to your fabric and cut out.
18. Flip the flower over and add hot glue or fabric adhesive around the circle. Cover the flower center opening with the fabric circle and pat down along the glued area. Let dry. Traditionally, kanzashi artisans soak each flower petal in rice-starch glue using long tweezers. Each petal is positioned and adhered onto a metal or plastic base until the flower forms.
19. Flip the flower over. Add hot glue or fabric adhesive around the base of a button or center trim to form the flower center. Repeat Steps 1 to 11 in section 1 and Steps 1 to 8 in section 2 to form the second flower.
20. Spread hot glue along the base of a hair clip. Place the two flowers onto the hot glue side by side resembling a bow. Let dry prior to wearing the kanzashi hair bow.
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