All about the kanzashi technique

Not a single modern woman can do without jewelry. And we are talking not only about girls and adult women - even little girls and elderly ladies must complement their bow with appropriate accessories, for example, a headband, hairpin, brooch, bracelet, ring and earrings. And if some choose jewelry purchased in jewelry stores, others try to emphasize their image with exclusive handmade products. It is for such purposes that the kanzashi technique is used by needlewomen.

The history of the kanzashi technique began several centuries ago in Japan.... At that time, women paid special attention to decorating their hairstyles. They fixed their hair with hairpins, combs and hairpins, decorated with various flowers made with their own hands. Wood, metal, soft bones and silk fabric were taken as a basis. Accessories were obtained in different colors, shapes and sizes. These decorative parts, created by hand by needlewomen, were called kanzashi.

The word itself, translated from Japanese, means "stuck in the hair." But the Japanese themselves claim that in the old days this art form was called "kanzashi", but the translation of this word is not known to anyone.

Today, the Japanese still value all forms of art invented by their ancestors, and constantly apply one technique or another to decorate the interior, create crafts, restore clothes and make unique jewelry. Kanzashi in this case is at the first steps of popularity.

The kanzashi technique has several directions, however, "khana-kanzashi" has become widespread... We are talking about flower decorations made from silk ribbons. In the process of work, the tsunami method is used, which has much in common with the origami technique. In simple terms, silk pieces of fabric are folded and fixed several times, acquiring the image of a petal. From a few of these pieces of silk, stunning flowers are created. Depending on the chosen plant or the complexity of making such petals, you may need either 5 pieces or 80. As an additional decoration for the craft, you can use beads, rhinestones and even metal inserts.

Today, the kanzashi technique is used by needlewomen from all over the world. Quite often, women discover a talent for needlework by sending their daughter to kindergarten. For each matinee, they have to either purchase a ready-made suit, or sew the outfit on their own. At the same time, a children's image, compiled by their own hands, turns out to be unique and inimitable. And with the use of the kanzashi technique, the costume acquires sophistication, brightness and originality. For everyday wear, mothers of little girls make headbands with fabric flowers, hairpins, hair ties for their babies.

The most remarkable thing is that even children can work in the kanzashi technique. The creation of silk flowers promotes the development of fine motor skills, perseverance and fantasy thinking.

Flowers are the main element of the Kanzashi technique. At the same time, there are no clearly defined boundaries. These can be roses, orchids, bells, daisies, dahlias. In this case, the question of the complexity of the execution of the craft plays a role. Flower petals are made from ribbons. Depending on the idea, the petals can have an acute-angled, oval or round shape.

In addition to the petals themselves, the stem and green leaves can be located on the extreme sides of the flowers. It is allowed to use beads, beads, rhinestones, sequins and much more as additional decoration elements. It is enough to show imagination in order to understand what elements are best to decorate the prepared craft.

In addition to flowers, the kanzashi technique involves the creation of beautiful bows that can be used to decorate costumes and various accessories.

The main thing for the first time is to choose simple products. The simpler the first craft, the faster and easier the needlewoman will be able to master the new technique.

To create flower crafts using the kanzashi technique, needlewomen need to stock up on a small set of tools and materials.

• Colored threads.
• Small size tailor's needles.
• Ruler or sewing tape.
• Sharp scissors.
• Candle or lighter. As an analogue to these tools, a soldering iron or curling iron will do.
• Fabric adhesive. For ease of use, it is preferable to use a glue gun.
• Tweezers.
• Decorative items.
• Hair fixation spray. It guarantees a firm hold on the folded petals of the craft.
• The foundation. In this case, we are talking about an elastic hair band, hairpin, headband, hairpins, etc.

On the one hand, it may seem that choosing a ribbon for creating flowers using the kanzashi technique is very simple. You took the first one that came across - and you start to create. But this opinion is wrong. When choosing a tape, it is very important to pay attention to its density. The thicker the material, the easier it is to work with.

If there is no thick tape, you can take the thin version. However, after assembling the craft, the material must be covered with a layer of hairspray. Thanks to this treatment, the petals will not lose their shape, but the rhinestones used for decoration after varnishing, on the contrary, become faded.

Care must be taken when buying tape. It is extremely rare, but still in stores of sewing accessories, tapes come across with an incorrect tension of one or more threads, or with a significant skew. You should refuse such a tape, otherwise the craft will turn out to be crooked.

Today, crafts using the kanzashi technique are made from satin ribbons. For beginner craftswomen, it is preferable to stop the choice on monophonic options. With a little experience, you can buy satin ribbons with inscriptions or unusual prints.

The Japanese use natural silk ribbons. However, such a purchase is considered very expensive and not every needlewoman will have to afford it. Atlas in this case is considered ideal. It is easy to cut, melt the edge parts... For work, you can use narrow ribbons 2-2.5 cm wide and 4-5 cm wide.

For beginner craftswomen who decided to try their hand at the kanzashi technique, you need to heed a few tips from experienced craftsmen.

• The first craft should be made from lightweight material.
• It is preferable to use silk to create round petals, as it bends better.
• The first craft should be made of dark ribbons. In unskillful hands, dark traces of burning remain on light-colored fabric.
• When composing pointed petals, it is necessary to make folds in one direction.

Before starting independent work, you need to watch several master classes from experienced craftsmen. So it will turn out to learn the basics and understand that it is not difficult to work in this technique. Moreover, at the master classes, you will be able to delve into many nuances, reveal for yourself certain secrets of creating fabric colors. But the most important thing is to take your time and follow the step-by-step instructions.

To create beautiful crafts, you need to learn how to make petals of different shapes. For beginners, it is preferable to use 5x5 cm lines. First of all, it is proposed to find out the technology for making round petals.

• First of all, squares of the required size are cut out.
• Take one piece and fold it diagonally.
• The corners of the resulting triangle are added in the middle.
• To fix the corners at the joints, you need to make several stitches with a thread and a needle.
• Further, the petal turns over, the corners are folded towards the center.
• Then the workpiece is folded in half so that the corners are in the inner part.
• The bottom of the harvested petal is carefully trimmed.
• In the place of the cut, it is required to weld with fire or a curling iron. The workpiece can be trimmed if necessary. One petal is ready.

Next, it is proposed to consider a method for creating pointed petals.

• Square bases of the appropriate size are cut.
• One piece folds diagonally.
• The resulting triangle folds in half.
• Folding the triangle is done again according to the third step of the work.
• The bottom of the workpiece is carefully cut off.
• The cut side must be singed and, while it is hot, press down on the lower part.
• Then a cut is made at the bottom of the workpiece and burned in the same way.
• To adjust the height of the petal, you must follow the cut line.
• If there should be a hole in the lower part of the petal, the cut from the lower side is only scorched. If the hole is not needed, soldering is done.

In this way, the required number of petals is made.

According to the instructions presented, it becomes clear that there is no particular difficulty in doing crafts using the kanzashi technique. The main thing is not to be distracted by extraneous matters and follow the step-by-step instructions. The result will surely surpass all expectations.And what is most interesting, it will be possible to make daisies and sunflowers, tulips and chrysanthemums, asters and lilies, poppies and bells, daffodils and much more from such petals.

We offer you to get acquainted with a master class on creating a beautiful flower - a rose.

First of all, you need to prepare tools and materials. For work, you need a satin ribbon, a candle, a needle and thread, and glue. In no case should you deviate from the proposed course of work - otherwise, there is a high probability of making irreparable mistakes.

• For one rosebud, you need 7 cm of ribbon. In the total number of such strips, 12 pieces are required. Cut strips are singed on both sides.
• The corner of the tape must be folded inside out. The resulting acute angle is applied to the front part several times, after which it is fixed with a thread.
• The second corner of the tape is bent in a similar way. The thread needs to be pulled slightly. All 12 bands are processed in the same way.
• The middle is made from one base under the petals. It is wrapped in a tube and fixed with a thread and a needle.
• The remaining blanks of petals are wrapped around the middle of the flower. Moreover, the first petals can be stitched, and the subsequent ones are preferably glued. Do not forget that each new superimposed petal overlaps.
• For the splendor of the bud, you can use several larger petals.

From several of these flowers it will be possible to compose a panel on the wall, decorate hairpins and elastic bands for little girls, and decorate school supplies for children.

With the help of flowers made using the kanzashi technique, you can decorate many things, for example, the well-known St.George ribbon. This is one of the main attributes of the celebration of the Great Victory. The St. George ribbon is a symbol of gratitude to the soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom of the Soviet people, who have survived to this day. And how attractive this ribbon in the form of flowers made using the kanzashi technique will be!

For creatures of such beauty, by May 9, you will need the St.George ribbon itself, beads, rhinestones, a pin or the base of the brooch.

• First of all, you need to cut 5 squares from the tape, 7 cm on each side.
• They must be folded according to the technology for creating pointed petals without holes.
• Then again a 20 cm long St.George ribbon is taken. Oblique cuts are made along its edges. They must be scorched so that the strands of the tape do not spread. After that, the workpiece is rolled up according to the traditional principle and glued at the junction.
• When the glue is dry, you can proceed to the next design step. The prepared petals are glued over a folded flower-shaped ribbon. Fittings are fixed in the center.
• On the back side there is a pin or brooch base with a fastening element.

This work does not take much time, and the result obtained exceeds all expectations. Such a tape can be decorated on both sides by making it into a car suspension on the rear-view mirror.

As it becomes clear the kanzashi technique can be guided when creating various crafts. Simple petals can decorate a tie clip, picture frames. From them it will be possible to make unusual compositions on the walls in children's rooms. A Christmas tree made using the kanzashi technique will be a good addition to a New Year's gift for a loved one.

By the way, the kazanshi technique involves the creation of not only flowers. From a ribbon folded into petals, it is possible to make different animals, for example, a mouse, a cat, a dog.

Cloth petals, folded from pieces of ribbons, are the basis of the kanzashi technique.From them it is possible to make single buds of different colors, for example, dandelion, cornflower, orchid. The pansy flower looks very interesting and very unusual. Chrysanthemums are incredible. However, the greater magnificence is expressed in the bouquets of flowers. But before creating complex compositions, you need to make a simple craft, for example, a vase of flowers on a flat surface.

First you need to prepare materials and tools. For work, you will need a flat base, a light-colored fabric material, satin ribbons of different palettes in sizes 4x2.5 cm, fabric glue, a lighter or a candle, a little foam rubber and scissors.

The work process itself is not complicated, the main thing is to follow the step-by-step instructions.

• It is necessary to cut the satin ribbon into squares and make pointed petals. One flower needs 7-8 petals. Their total number can be calculated based on the intended composition.

• The petals made must be connected. For this, the lateral small parts of the petals are coated with an adhesive composition. Having issued one flower, you can proceed to the next. It is preferable that each bud is made in a different color palette.

• Then made of foam rubber a round base is cut for flowers and glued to the back of the bud.

• The basis is taken for composition and covered with fabric material.

• From fabrics of any shade a vase is cut out and glued to the base.

• Now you can make the stems... For this, a satin ribbon is taken, the width of which is no more than 1 cm. It is folded in half and glued to the base. The tips of the stems are hidden inside the vase.

• Next are glued flowers.

• Green satin ribbon leaves are cut, the cut edges are fired, after which the leaves are glued to the stem.

• Last step - decorating the composition.

Every child is happy to receive even a small souvenir from parents and relatives.... And if the boy accepts the car with pleasure, the girl will appreciate any piece of jewelry, even a hairpin with a special design. To surprise the little princess, you are invited to get acquainted with a master class on creating a hair tie with a bunny, made using the kanzashi technique.

For work, you will need satin ribbons with a width of 4 cm. 7 ribbons should be green, 6 ribbons in a gray shade and one pink. You will also need a lighter or candle, thread and a needle. For finishing the seamy side - glue, a circle of satin or felt. To decorate the bunny, you will need 2 identical beads for the eyes and one for the nose. It is best to purchase these accessories at a handicraft store.

• To work, you need to know the technique of creating round and pointed petals. First, take a green square and fold it diagonally.

• The gray square is also folded and superimposed on top of the green triangle.

• Sharp corners are folded to a right angle.

• The folded part with folded corners is folded in half.

• Sharp and obtuse angles are carefully cut with sharp scissors.

• The edges are melted with a lighter or candle.

• According to a similar scheme, it is necessary to make another double petal and 2 smaller ones. To obtain the minimum dimension, it is enough to make large cuts of the corners.

• The fifth petal is made according to the same principle, only green and pink ribbons are used.

• Now the petals need to be connected into a flower, fastening them with a thread and a needle.

• Now spiky petals are made from green and gray satin squares. They play the role of ears, which means there should be 2 of them.

• The collected flower must be positioned with the pink insert down. Glue pointed ears from above to the bottom of two separate petals.

• Now you need to fix the nose and eyes. The eyes are attached in 2 petals, under which the ears are glued, the nose is glued in the center.

• On the seamy side, a satin or felt circle is fixed.

• A hair elastic is taken, one edge of a small piece of satin is glued to it, then the tape is wrapped around the elastic with the constant addition of adhesive.

• A bunny is attached to the glued roll with glue.

Decorating crafts made using the kanzashi technique is easy. It is enough to show a little imagination and remember the skills of needlework. You can make a bouquet of wildflowers and decorate them with transparent or white beads resembling dew.

You can make a wall panel with snowdrops, where the flowers will be made of satin or silk ribbons, and the snow will be made of cotton wool, fine-grained foam or padding polyester. The sheen of the snow crust can be imitated with small silvery sparkles.

Well, traditionally - beads, beads, rhinestones.

This is not to say that the kanzashi technique is easy to perform. This art requires special concentration and attentiveness from the craftswoman. A rich imagination allows you to create decorations, interior products, elements for the transformation of a house, workshop and other premises.

The beauty of kanzashi lies in the accuracy and clear sequence of actions. Each new idea of ​​the craftswoman surpasses her own expectations. This can be a wall panel, small paintings, decor of individual elements. The shelves in the nursery can be decorated with kanzashi crafts, for example, make a mouse, cockerel, firebird, cat or dog. And for the New Year, you can complement the festive interior decoration with a kanzash tree, Santa Claus and Snegurochka.

But it's better to see once what can be done with a few squares of satin ribbons and glue.

For five useful tips for needlewomen using the kanzashi technique, see the next video.