Burda Style For people who sew

Admired for centuries, Kanzashi originated in Japan - worn by Maiko (Geisha in training). The Maiko would wear specific Kanzashi dependent on the season or event - for example, they certainly would have worn cherry blossoms during the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Geisha themselves wore them much less often, if at all.

In this tutorial I will show you how to make one of the basic shapes, and how this can be expanded to suit your whims.

Apologies for some of the rubbish images. My camera is broken, but I badly need some new scissors! :)

Technique Materials

Thread, material (cotton, silk, felt, leather etc) - I used silks and polyester - Thin fabrics work best with smaller petals, glue, crocodile clip/brooch back/safety pin/key ring and chain, faux pearl beads/buttons, starch, ruler, tailor's chalk pencil, glue (and glue gun is needed), iron (mini iron if you have one), scissors

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3 Comments Sign in to add a post

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  Nov 27, 2011, 09.25 PMby G-A-

  Really clear and really well described tutorial. I tried one and I am very thankful for the tutorial. Do you happen to know how the cherry blossom flowers are made with this technique (they have heart-shaped petals) ?

  1 Reply

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    Nov 30, 2011, 10.34 AMby blueshoegal

    Ah thank you for your praise. Do you mean petals like these: http://www.etsy.com/listing/71755399/white-snowflake-kanzashi-free-shipping

    If so – grip the petal with your thumb and middle finger and use your index finger to push in the end. You can then pin it and leave it a little while (the starch should make it set). Giving it a little bit of an iron can help set it as well.

    Hope that helps

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  Sep 12, 2011, 06.55 AMby Tokie Ang

  beautiful!! :D
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  Mar 18, 2011, 10.49 AMby elval

  Wow that is awesome, so beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing.