Make beautiful folded flowers using traditional Japanese techniques, brought up to date with our unique printed fabric squares.

"Kanzashi" is the general term, in English, for traditional Japanese folded flowers. The word comes from Hana Kanzashi - ornamental flower hairpin, traditionally worn by trainee geisha (hana is the actual word for flower).

A starch adhesive, not normally available in the UK without importing, is the key to making these little flowers successfully. Gina-B Silkworks' has had this adhesive specially developed and it is manufactured here in the UK, allowing crafters to try this beautiful, traditional craft. It is a very slow drying, water based adhesive, that can also be used to stiffen fabrics and textiles.

Japanese folded flowers traditionally use plain fabrics, while more modern makers use fabric with fine prints. These Hanabira (flower petal) squares have been designed by Gina-B Silkworks and are a new twist on the traditional flowers, allowing multi-coloured flowers to be created.

What's included -

Fabric Flower Techniques Booklet- this 12 page booklet explains how to make 11 flowers using the printed squares and based included, as well as how to use your own fabric to create flowers. (Any lightweight silk or cotton will work). Illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams, you'll soon be making pretty little flowers to embellish a variety of items. The booklet also shows how to make a traditional hairpin and more modern hairclip.

Fabric Flower Patterns Booklet- this 12 page booklet explains how to make 7 more advanced Kanzashi flowers, incorporating layering, tucking and rolling techniques using your own fine cotton or silk fabrics. The basics of Kanzashi petal folding are also explained. Illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams, you'll soon be making pretty little flowers to embellish a variety of items.

The printed fabric includes not only the squares illustrated in the Fabric Flower Techniques Booklet, but also a variety of other petals – and plain blocks of colour. In total, you'll be a able to make around 30 basic flowers (less if you double the petals up).

This kit includes a 30ml Kanzashi Starch Adhesive. This has been specially formulated and is made here in the UK to enable you to make traditional hana kanzashi flowers.

The kit also includes a small table to form the flowers, and a combined gluing and drying table. Other tables and accessories are sold separately.

Contents:

• Printed fabric sheet with Hanabira squares and plain colours
• Glue spreader
• Gluing & Drying table
• Making Table
• Kanzashi Starch Adhesive 30ml
• Fabric Flower Techniques Booklet
• Fabric Flower Patterns Booklet
• Assorted beads / centres

Note: This kit is an updated version of two of our previous kanzashi kits - the booklets are the same as was included in those.