Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

CRAFTS

Diane Gillelands charming ower embellishments instantly bring

the simplest accessory, garment, or decoration to life. Best of all,
her beautifully photographed how-tos and helpful tips encourage
us to add our own spin to these inspiring projects, for a lovely
and very personal result.
Susan Beal, author of Bead Simple and Button It Up

anzashi tsumami is the Japanese art of folding delicate

squares of silk into three-dimensional ower petals. In the
United States, the online craft culture has sprouted a renewed
interest in making Kanzashi, with American crafters devising
simplied ways to create these gorgeous fabric owers, and
incorporating more user-friendly materials like cotton and
synthetic fabrics along with the traditional silks.
Kanzashi in Bloom takes the American interpretation of
Kanzashi a step further, presenting modern, more easily executed
ower designs as elements in a variety of fun, fashionable, hip
craft projects. Kanzashi in Bloom oers advice on materials, three
petal-folding styles, and techniques for assembling a Kanzashi
ower. Youll also nd instructions for 20 projects to wear and
give as gifts, including:
Tiny blossom earrings
Flowers-in-your-hair clips
The happiest belt buckle ever
Elegant oral gift topper

Jenny Ryan, Contributing Writer, CRAFT magazine

D I A N E G I L L E L A N D produces a popular blog and

podcast, craftypod.com, and diyalert.com, a calendar of craft

classes and events in Portland, Oregon. For more about Dianes
work and Kanzashi, visit kanzashi-in-bloom.com.

I S B N 978-0-8230-8481-4

WATSON-GUPT I LL PU B LICATI O N S
NE W YORK
www.watsonguptill.com

Cover design: Chin-Yee Lai

Cover photograph: Simon Lee
Author photograph: Katin Imes
Printed in China

52195
9

DIANE GILLELAND

Kanzashi in Bloom is a must-have book that does a fantastic job of

demystifying this ancient Japanese art form for the modern-day
crafter. The colorful projects will have you wondering what you
can adorn with owers next!

SEWING

DIANE GILLELAND

K AN Z AS H I I N B L O O M

Diane Gilleland showcases the Japanese art of Kanzashi with craft

projects that have an updated, modern style. Youll nd lots of
creative ways to use up your scrap fabrics to make quick gifts for
family, friends, or yourself!
Natalie Zee Drieu, Senior Editor, CRAFT magazine

2 0 Sim p l e
Fo l d -and -Se w
Pro je ct s t o
We ar and Give

K A N Z AS H I
IN BLOOM

780823 084814

TJ187-2-2009 IMUS 7/WFA0149-Kanzashi in Bloom W:8.5xH:10 175L 315 Simpele C1S Magenta

$21.95 U.S.A. / $26.00 CANADA

Cov
TJ187-2-09 Cov 175L CTP.indd 1

3/14/09 3:59:20 PM

For Mom

Contents
Text copyright 2009 by Diane Gilleland
Style photographs copyright 2009 by Simon Lee
Process photographs copyright 2009 by Pam Harris
First published in 2009 by Watson-Guptill Publications,
Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc., New York
www.crownpublishing.com
www.watsonguptill.com

Introduction
1 O r i g i n s o f t h e A r t F o r m

All rights reserved.

38

Flower Power Pendant

40

Tiny Blossom Earrings

44

Cheerful Cuff

48

Flowers-in-Your-Hair Clips

54

Stretch & Bloom Headband

60

Fuzzy-Flower Scarf

64

Dressed-up Denim Skirt

70

Happiest Belt Buckle Ever

76

Super Star Tote

82

Handbag Candy

88

2 M at e r i a l s a n d
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

3 P r o j e c t s t o W e a r

4 P r o j e c t s t o G i v e

94

Back-to-Back Ornament

96

C o r e T e c h n i q u e s

14

Kanzashi Bouquet

100

16

Sampler Wall Hanging

104

Fabrics

16

Elegant Floral Gift Topper

110

Glue

18

Butterfly Jar Toppers

116

Finishing Touches

19

Recycled Necktie Wallet

122

Core Techniques

20

Bloomin Cute Drawer Knobs

128

Cutting Squares

20

I Heart Tea Cozy

132

Perfect Squares?

21

To Press or Not to Press?

21

Resources

142

Pinning It Down

21

A c k n o w l e dgm e n t s

143

Executive Editor: Joy Aquilino

Basic Instructions: Round Kanzashi Petal

22

Af t e r w o r d

143

Development Editor: Amy Vinchesi

Basic Instructions: Pointed Kanzashi Petal

24

Index

144

Art Director: Jess Morphew

Basic Instructions: Pleated Kanzashi Petal

26

Designer and Photoshoot Art Director (Still Life): Chin-Yee Lai

Gilleland, Diane.
Kanzashi in bloom : 20 simple fold-and-sew projects to wear and give / by Diane Gilleland.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8230-8481-4 (pbk. : alk. paper)

1. Silk flowers. 2. Decorative artsJapan. I. Title.

TT890.7.G45 2009
745.594'3dc22
2009000292

Production Director: Alyn Evans

Printed in China
First printing, 2009

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 / 15 14 13 12 11 10 09

Materials

Assembling a Kanzashi Flower

28

General Flower Tips Before We Begin

28

Basic Flower Assembly

30

Fixes: What to Do if Something Goes Wrong

34

36

Two Special Techniques

Whipstitch

36

Opening and Closing a Jump Ring

37

I always come back to flowers:

Kanzashi is quite different

Any time Im learning a new

craft technique, I try some
flower-based design or
pattern to practice on.

from the traditional

Intr oduction

When I design beautiful

you can read more about

in the first chapter. As
much as I love to watch

objects, floral elements always

the traditional process in

seem to creep in somewhere. So

action, Ive also found it a

its no wonder I fell head-over-

bit challenging to learn. The

heels for Kanzashi.

online crafting community, being

Kanzashi are beautiful Japanese flowers

the inspiring and creative environment that it is,

created by folding small squares of silk into petals

has found some simpler ways to make Kanzashi,

and then gluing them together. You may have

and its from these methods that I evolved the

seen Kanzashi adorning the elaborate coiffure

techniques in this book.

of a Japanese geisha, because thats their most

Ive taught basic Kanzashi classes for a few

traditional use. Were not exactly going to be

years now, and its always fun to see how besotted

traditional here, but we are going to learn to make

my students become with this craft. The flowers

Kanzashi. Actually, its important to note that

are so elaborate and so beautiful that once you

Kanzashi are more correctly called Hana Tsumami

discover how simple they are to make, well, that

Kanzashi. The Japanese word Kanzashi refers to

becomes all you want to do. Those classes are

the hair ornaments worn by Japanese women,

really the seeds that started this book. In nearly

while Hana translates as flower, and Tsumami

every class Ive taught, the question eventually

refers to the process of folding the silk squares

comes up: What can you do with these flowers?

to make these flowers. However, as the online

In my classes, we usually glue pins and magnets

crafting community has begun to discover and

to them, but a world of possibility lies beyond

embrace this craft, folded fabric flowers are often

that. Ive had a wonderful time dreaming up ways

casually referred to simply as Kanzashi, and that is

to incorporate Kanzashi into jewelry, clothing,

how I will refer to them in this book.

bags, home decor, and gifts, to name but a few

Speaking of online crafting, thats where I first

applications.

discovered Kanzashi. One of the many benefits

I hope youll enjoy learning to make your

of the Internet is its power to introduce us to

own Kanzashi flowers and that youll want to

creative ideas from all over the world. I should

cover your world with them!

say, though, that my particular method of making

Japanese method, which

Back-to-Back
Ornament

These generous-sized Kanzashi flowers make lovely decorations

for your holiday tree, or you can use them to brighten a
window. These are so showy that you can use your biggest, most
elaborate buttons as centers. And because you are attaching two
flowers back-to-back, you can display these from either side.

Skill Level

Beginner
Best Petal Styles

Round, Pointed, Pleated

Best Number of Petals

8 or more
Best Square Size

21/2" to 3"

Before You Begin

As you string the petals of your flowers for this project, pay special
attention. When you place your flowers back-to-back, youll want all the
petals to match up neatly, so be very consistent about where you pass your
needle through each petal.

Glues Needed

Hot glue, embellishment glue,

fabric glue
Additional Supplies Needed

Straight pins (optional)

Pearl embroidery floss in a
color that coordinates with
your flower (DMC Metallic
Gold floss used here)
Sharp scissors

96

97

Back-to-Back
Ornament

These generous-sized Kanzashi flowers make lovely decorations

for your holiday tree, or you can use them to brighten a
window. These are so showy that you can use your biggest, most
elaborate buttons as centers. And because you are attaching two
flowers back-to-back, you can display these from either side.

Skill Level

Beginner
Best Petal Styles

Round, Pointed, Pleated

Best Number of Petals

8 or more
Best Square Size

21/2" to 3"

Before You Begin

As you string the petals of your flowers for this project, pay special
attention. When you place your flowers back-to-back, youll want all the
petals to match up neatly, so be very consistent about where you pass your
needle through each petal.

Glues Needed

Hot glue, embellishment glue,

fabric glue
Additional Supplies Needed

Straight pins (optional)

Pearl embroidery floss in a
color that coordinates with
your flower (DMC Metallic
Gold floss used here)
Sharp scissors

96

97

You can use the same technique to make a charming flower garland. Just
sandwich some ribbon between a string of smaller flowers. Or, for a lighter
garland, you can sandwich the ribbon between one flower and one circle of

Or,
Try This...

coordinating felt. This would look so cute draped over a simple window shade!

Making an Ornament
3. Place the second flower atop the first so that their back
sides are glued together, with the floss sandwiched in the
middle. Make sure all the petals of both flowers are aligned.
Allow the glue to dry completely.

1. Make two flowers, following the Basic Instructions in

Chapter 2. You can certainly make them in different colors,
and with different centers, but youll want them to have
the same petal design and size so that you can match
them up. Glue a center to each flower with embellishment
glue.

4. Depending on your flower design, you might want to glue

the two flowers together at the tips of the petals. If you do,
then carefully apply a small amount of fabric glue between
each set of petals and gently press them together.

2. Cut an 8" length of floss. Fold it in half and tie a knot

about 1" from the end. Place one flower face down on your
work surface. Apply some fabric glue to the back of the
flower and lay the knotted floss over the glue, as shown.
Be sure that the looped end of the floss lines up with the
topmost petal, as shown.

5. If the petals have a tendency to split apart while drying,

you can stick a straight pin through them to hold them in
place. Just stick them through the middle of each pair of
petals, away from the glue, as shown. Allow the glue to dry
completely.

98

99

You can use the same technique to make a charming flower garland. Just
sandwich some ribbon between a string of smaller flowers. Or, for a lighter
garland, you can sandwich the ribbon between one flower and one circle of

Or,
Try This...

coordinating felt. This would look so cute draped over a simple window shade!

Making an Ornament
3. Place the second flower atop the first so that their back
sides are glued together, with the floss sandwiched in the
middle. Make sure all the petals of both flowers are aligned.
Allow the glue to dry completely.

1. Make two flowers, following the Basic Instructions in

Chapter 2. You can certainly make them in different colors,
and with different centers, but youll want them to have
the same petal design and size so that you can match
them up. Glue a center to each flower with embellishment
glue.

4. Depending on your flower design, you might want to glue

the two flowers together at the tips of the petals. If you do,
then carefully apply a small amount of fabric glue between
each set of petals and gently press them together.

2. Cut an 8" length of floss. Fold it in half and tie a knot

about 1" from the end. Place one flower face down on your
work surface. Apply some fabric glue to the back of the
flower and lay the knotted floss over the glue, as shown.
Be sure that the looped end of the floss lines up with the
topmost petal, as shown.

5. If the petals have a tendency to split apart while drying,

you can stick a straight pin through them to hold them in
place. Just stick them through the middle of each pair of
petals, away from the glue, as shown. Allow the glue to dry
completely.

98

99