Kanzashi How-To Video!

I absolutely LOVE this video, and I have been doing brilliantly until I get to the sewing together part... mine dont seem to want to pull together in that flower shape.. even with coaxing. they either just get in a jumble, or they turn into what looks like a flower bud...... is there a tip to getting it to pull round into a circle?? should I maybe loosen up my petals?

I loveeee this craft, and I am hoping to finish this as a brooch for my daughters sun hat.

:D

HI, Marissa - this is indeed the only tricky part of the craft, and in my book I actually have a whole lot of tips on how to make this bit go more smoothly.

If sounds like the bottoms of the first and last petals in your string are butting together when you tighten the knot. Try two things: first, let go of the threads for a moment and manually turn those petals side by side before you re-tighten the knot.

Second, pull the threads in a perpendicular direction to the plane of the flower. You can see me do this a little in the video. So instead of pulling the threads side to side, try moving them so they point up and down and then pulling them.

I hope these tips help! If your local library or bookstore has a copy of the book, you can see some photos of what I mean there, too. If you're still having trouble, please feel free to email me. Good luck!

Do you have a suggestions for attaching these flowers to a baby quilt top. I hate to glue them, but I am not sure how to stich either. Thanks, Cat

When I attach Kanzashi to fabric projects that will be washed, I like
to use a two-step approach. First, I glue the center of the flower
down with a little washable fabric glue. This is mostly to anchor the
flower in place, so it won't move around during the next step.

Next, I sew each petal to the fabric below with tiny slip or whip
stitches. Depending on the flower design, I might stitch down just the
tips, or I might stitch all the way around each petal. That works very
well.

For the most part, Kanzashi will respond best to a gentle hand-
washing, and hanging to dry. Hope that helps!

FAB-ulous video! VERY well done, Diane. Thank you!
Tricia

Thanks, Tricia! Glad you liked it!

If this is your first web video, I can hardly wait to see what you do next. I'm an ex-teacher, and it doesn't get much better. Thank you for sharing, and I can hardly wait till Christmas, when I get this as a surprise gift.

Thank you, Marcie! I do hope to make lots more in 2010.

...Now, be sure and act surprised when you get it. :-)

Thank you so much for this video! I am new to Kanzashi and spent an entire Sunday trying to figure out how to fold and connect the petals. Your video is very helpful! Your book is now on my Amazon wishlist and will be my next Amazon purchase.

Wow, Diane!! I stopped over specifically to congratulate you on being in this week's edition of Parade Magazine, and you're in Woman's Day, too! I am DANCING for happiness for you.

And you totally deserve every bit of recognition you get!

Aw, thank you, Anitra! That's so sweet of you.

Woman's Day!?!? Diane! Awesome.

I think your video is great. My first couple are abysmal. Terrifyingly bad ... I sound like I have a mouth full of marbles and my tongue's been cut out. I'm hoping that as I do them I'll get better.

Thank you for this video. I found it to be the perfect length and so clear and understandable. With a lot of these types of videos I feel overwhelmed and end up not trying them. This one I will definitely be having a play at and will link to my(probably disasterous) end result! ;) Thank you again.

I'd love to see what you make! And I'm sure there will be no
disaster. :-)

the video is a great intro to the book. i think you went at a nice even pace and the whole thing came in under 5 minutes which is amazing for such a detailed product. one nice thing about video is that it can be paused and replayed. very helpful, i definitely wouldn't mind seeing more videos in the future.

This is the BEST video!!! I can't wait to try it! Beautiful!!!
Cait
http://barefootweavercait.blogspot.com

Thanks, Cait!

I just took a peek at your blog, and your husband is VERY
understanding. But I want to live at your house now. :-)

Superfabulous video. Clear instructions and good angles. I feel like I can make one! Thanks!

Awesome! Thanks, Tricia!

Cool video, absolutely fantastic for a first! The pacing works fine and it explains all the separate parts clearly and simply. I have absolutely no questions and feel confident I could make a flower using this video.

Wow, thank you! That's great to hear!

I've put a link/feature on my blog about CraftyPod and your brilliant Kanzashi flower tutorial. Check it out here: www.magpiemagic.blogspot.com.

Keep up the good work!

Thank you so much for the lovely post! Your Origami Dress is beautiful!

It’s an EXCELLENT video!!

I made my first Kanzashi flower today and posted about it, thanks to your super wonderful book and my inkjet printer!

http://justsomethingimade.blogspot.com/2009/09/kanzashi-flower-with-words.html

I think the pacing actually works quite nicely. I didn't feel like i needed to speed it up, and it was slow enough for me to follow. Nice job! ....and you have such nice thumbs! ;)

Heh... The Thumbs say Thanks! :-)

Rock on Sister D! That was awesome. Especially for a first time. Look out Otto Preminger!

Thanks, Dude!

---------------------------------
CraftyPod
The blog & podcast all about Making Stuff
www.craftypod.com
www.twitter.com/SisterDiane

I Write Ebooks!
www.shop.craftypod.com

Kanzashi In Bloom: 20 Simple Fold and Sew Projects
www.kanzashi-in-bloom.com

Dude...when you pulled the thread to bring the petals together, that was magical. I was in a kanzashi trance with that music!!! Awesome!

Oh, I think that's great! Although I do miss your lovely voice...

Well, unfortunately, with the teeny tiny webcam mic, it sounded like I
was broadcasting from an airplane hangar. :-)

Just beautiful.,music and project. Thank you for sharing.

that is so helpful! thank you :D

Very cool first video! Mine was really pathetic but I agree iMovie is amazing.

Wow, Woman's Day!! That's impressive. Next stop: Martha!

I think it looks great - it's very clear, and not too long. Nice music too :)

Thanks! Good old Garage Band...