How to Make Kanzashi Bloom Flowers

Preparation

• 1

  Cut a square petal template from heavy paper or card stock. All petal styles are fashioned from a basic square, with each finished flower being the same size as the petal template. Therefore, a three-inch square petal template will create a three-inch square finished flower.

• 2

  Trace the template on the fabric with a pencil, and cut squares of fabric with scissors. You also could lay the template on the fabric and cut squares with a rotary cutter.

• 3

  Cut six to eight fabric squares for each flower.

Rounded Petals

• 4

  Fold a fabric square in half from point to point, with the right side of the fabric facing out. Press with an iron. Lay the triangle down with the long side away from you and the point toward you.

• 5

  Fold the right-hand corner of the triangle toward the bottom point. Finger-press this fold. Repeat for the left-hand corner. The gap between the two folded sections will run vertically.

• 6

  Turn the petal over so the back faces you and the gap between the two folded sections still runs vertically. Fold the left-hand point toward the center and finger-press. Repeat with the right-hand point. Make sure the points meet in the middle but do not overlap.

• 7

  Fold the right and left sides of the petal toward the center, catching the points created in step 5 in this fold. This is the back of the petal.

• 8

  Turn the petal so the front faces you. Insert a pin through the area where all the folds meet, almost at the midpoint of the petal. Set this petal aside and repeat the folding process to make as many other petals as your flower needs.

Pointed Petals

• 9

  Fold a fabric square in half from point to point, with the right side of the fabric facing out. Press with an iron. Lay the triangle down with the long side away from you and the point toward you.

• 10

  Fold the petal in half again, bringing the points of the long edge together and creating a smaller triangle. Press with your fingers.

• 11

  Hold the petal with the single folded edge at the side and the two folds facing up. Fold the right-hand corner point down to the bottom point of the triangle. Repeat with the left side.

• 12

  Fold the points of the resulting triangle back toward the long edge of the triangle. The petal looks a little like a paper airplane at this point.

• 13

  Insert a straight pin through the petal, catching all the folds. Use either side of this petal as the front. Set this petal aside and repeat the folding process to make as many petals as desired for your flower.

Flower Assembly

• 14

  Arrange the petals in a circle in the order you'd like for your flower.

• 15

  Cut the excess from the base of each petal below the pin with a sharp pair of scissors. Cut straight across the bottom of the petal below the outermost folds, taking care not to cut through the folded edges.

• 16

  Thread the needle with a doubled length of strong thread in a complementary color. Hold the petal, remove the pin and insert the needle through all layers of fabric. Insert the needle approximately 1/8 inch from the straight cut bottom edge of the petal. Pull the thread through the petal and leave a four-inch tail.

• 17

  Thread the rest of the petals onto the string in the order you desire. Cut the thread four inches from the needle. Tie an overhand knot with the tails of the threads.

• 18

  Pull the threads in opposite directions, gently tightening the knot and forming the petals into a circle. Adjust the petals as necessary so that all the ends lie flat and evenly against each other. When satisfied with the flower shape, tie another overhand knot to secure the petals into a circle. Clip the thread close to the knot.

• 19

  Cut a circle of matching fabric large enough to cover the back of the flower but that is not visible from the front. Place hot glue on the back of the flower and affix the fabric circle.

• 20

  Attach a decorative button to the front of the flower with embellishment glue to cover the raw edges at the center.