Canzashi handmade crafts: a popular technique and step by step instructions for creating products

Kanzashi (kanzashi) is a traditional Japanese needlework, which due to the variety of applications has become popular around the world. The Japanese technique is used to make hair accessories, panels, interior elements. Kanzashi requires masters of patience and jewelry accuracy, as the work is done with small parts.

Kanzashi - ribbon technique

The birthplace of "kanzashi" is Japan. The name of the handicraft literally translates as "stuck in the hair". The basis of kanzashi technique is applique from pieces of fabric, leather, ribbons of different colors and sizes.

From the history of needlework

Kanzashi jewelry technique appeared in Japan in the early ⅩⅤⅠⅠ period of formation and strengthening of Japanese culture.

Japanese tradition did not allow adornment of the body, arms and cleavage area, so women emphasized hair in creating their own image. Everyday hairstyles were first secured with hairpins, pins or sticks with plucked flowers as protection against evil spirits.

As natural flowers quickly wilted, there was a need to produce more durable jewelry, which became products made of silk, satin, organza with the addition of elements of wood, silver and gold.

Hair accessories with the used material, color and technique of manufacture could tell about the material wealth of the woman, her belonging to a certain class. Famous kanzashi masters are revered in Japan to this day.

Working Principles

The assembly of flowers from ribbon petals, which are used to decorate hair accessories, souvenirs, is the basis of the kanzashi technique.

Skilful women create colorful bouquets, ribbon compositions with berries, insects, geometric shapes, which are attached to the base made of cardboard, wood, bone or metal with glue, needle and thread.

Volumetricity of the composition is achieved through a special assembly; with the help of color combinations and the use of additional elements, the artist manages to give uniqueness to each work.

Materials and tools for making crafts

A successfully assembled set for needlework plays an important role in the production of original and high-quality kanzashi handicrafts.

Materials

As the main material for kanzashi more often use satin ribbon, which differs from other accessories in a variety of sizes and colors. Also in the work of the master will need:

• Organza;
• Silk;
• Lace, guipure;
• Beads, rhinestones;
• Bases for fixing the handicrafts;

In the technique of kanzashi often decorate hair accessories: hairpins, elastic bands, hoops, headbands, clips, combs; popular creation of holiday cards, boxes, interior elements, panels, paintings.

Tools

For the convenience of making kanzashi handicrafts on a master class, the master should have at hand:

• Sharp scissors and ruler;
• Elastic thread and a needle for the assembly of a flower;
• A lighter for processing the ends and cuts of ribbons;
• Glue gun with gel glue;
• Tweezers;
• Soldering iron, board to work on.

Edges of ribbons cut with a soldering iron are even and do not fall off.

Additional items

To make each work of the master of kanzashi look fresh and original, also to hide imperfections when making crafts use:

• Bead huggers with beads;
• Plastic and rubber cores;
• Buttons;
• Geometric elements made of wood, glass, metal.

Additional elements are glued or sewn to the application.

Making a petal in the kanzashi technique

In kanzashi crafts, the petal is the main element, that's why beginning needlewomen learn the technique from making petals of different shapes and sizes.

Sharp Petal

Sharp petals can be one-, two- or three-layered. To make a one-layered petal, a ribbon of one color is enough.

1. Ribbon is cut into several equal squares (the number of parts is the number of petals on the flower).
2. The edges of the squares are trimmed with a lighter to prevent crumbling. Sometimes a thermal scissors or soldering iron is used to cut the ribbon.
3. A piece of ribbon is folded diagonally.
4. Two identical edges of the resulting triangle are folded into a point.
5. The corners are fixed with glue or fused with a soldering iron.
6. The petal is ready.

Two-layered and three-layered pointed petals are assembled in the same way, using two or three pieces of ribbon.

Round petal

From the round petals are collected daisies, dahlias, chrysanthemums. Making an element of the composition begins with the preparation of material similar to the assembly of other petals in the same way.

1. A piece of satin square shape folded diagonally in a triangle.
2. Two sharp corners of the triangle symmetrically bent ends at the top point of a right angle, fixed with a needle before gluing.
3. After creating the desired rounded shape, the ends of the triangle to glue.
4. Excess parts of the petal are cut off, the edges are cauterized.

To assemble a beautiful flower, you need to make 6 - 8 petals identical in shape and size.

Assembling the flower

The kanzashi flower is assembled by threading the finished petals on a strong thread. It is recommended to work on the product with tweezers.

1. The petals, assembled in a ring, are glued to a cardboard or felt, covered with satin of the same color.
2. A button, a bead hugger with a bead, or an artificial pistil is used as the heart of the flower. The element is glued or sewn, covering the attachment points of the petals.
3. Additionally, kanzashi is decorated with rhinestones, sequins, lace or beads.
4. Finished flower is attached to the base (hair accessories, other decorating surface) with glue or under heat.

To take care of kanzashi is not difficult, it is enough to drop a satiny flower in soapy water for 15-20 minutes, then rinse in clean water.

Creating simple or exquisite jewelry in the technique of kanzashi is a fun activity for children and adults. Working with small details will help the master to calm the nervous system, develop such qualities as accuracy, patience, diligence. Unique quality assembled kanzashi will find a buyer on the handmade crafts marketplaces.