How To Make A Carnation Lei

"Lei" is the Hawaiian word for "wreath" or "garland." While this flower wreath is popular throughout Hawaii, they are also given and worn throughout the Polynesian islands. Lei are often given every bit gifts for graduations, funerals, weddings, and many other important life events. A lei can be made of various types of flowers, including carnations. To brand a carnation lei, you'll need to prepare flowers and thread before putting information technology all together.

1. 1

   Use stiff thread or dental floss. Yous tin use a variety of thread to make a lei, though dental floss and carpeting thread are your best options. Dental floss makes for a very sturdy lei, though information technology won't be every bit soft every bit thread and you'll be more limited in your color options. Ideally, y'all should apply carpeting thread if you desire thread of various colors.^[1]

2. 

   2

   Measure and cutting 100 inches (254 cm) of thread. 100 inches (254 cm) of thread volition requite you a standard 40 inch (102 cm) lei, with enough extra thread for the various knots you lot'll need to brand. You'll demand this amount of thread for each lei you want to make. Once measured, use a scissors to cut your thread to size.^[2]

3. 3

   Cull a steel needle between 12 and 18 inches (31-46 cm). Defended lei needles are usually fabricated of this tough metal and are found in these sizes. You can still make a lei if you lot don't have access to a lei needle. But use an embroidery needle that's in the same size range.^[3]

4. 

   four

   Thread the needle. Pinch the thread between your fingers, as shut to the end of the thread every bit possible. Bring the eye of the needle toward the thread, pushing it onto your fingers. Equally the middle of the needle meets the thread, you tin can use your fingers to push the thread through.^[4]

5. 

   5

   Fold the thread over on itself and knot the ends. Use a square knot to necktie the ends together. Hold an end of the thread in each hand. Place the right end of the thread over the left, crossing them, and then effectually the thread. Equally you lot cross the ends of the thread, you should exist switching easily; the right end becomes the left end and vice versa. Bring the left end of the thread over the correct stop of the thread, creating a circle, then around the thread and out through the circumvolve. Pull on both ends and you should have a square knot.

   • This uncomplicated knot will be used several times as yous brand your lei.
   • The knot should exist tied nearly v inches (thirteen cm) away from the terminate of the thread.^[5]

1. one

   Buy 50 carnations. Yous'll need 50 carnations for a standard lei of virtually 40 inches. You tin mix and lucifer different colors or use carnations of a single color. If you lot demand to make a large amount of lei, you can buy carnations in majority online relatively cheaply.

   • Traditional lei utilize fresh flowers, and they're ordinarily crafted just before they're given every bit a gift. Yet, you can use plastic flowers instead.^{[half dozen]}

2. 

   2

   Cutting the stems off the carnations. Utilize a pair of scissors to cut the stems equally close to the bloom head equally possible. Discard the stems in a compost bin.

   • If you tin can buy carnation heads, you lot'll salvage yourself the hassle of cut off stems.

3. 

   iii

   Accommodate your flowers in your preferred order. You only need to worry about this if yous're using carnations of different colors. Set them in the order that you'll desire them to be in for your lei. That way, you lot'll pick up and thread them in the right society and you'll be able to piece of work more than apace.

   • For example, if yous're using bluish and red carnations and want them to alternate, gear up them upwards in an alternating pattern on your table.

1. 

   1

   Put the needle through the center of your first carnation. Stick the needle into the face of the flower, correct in the middle. Push through until the needle comes out the other stop of the flower.^[vii]

2. 

   two

   Pull the flower along the thread until information technology reaches the knot. The flower should slide smoothly until it hits the knot. Don't force the flower along the thread. If information technology ends up not sliding down smoothly enough, wait until you've added a few more than flowers. The added weight will aid them slide along.^[8]

3. 

   3

   Repeat this procedure for the rest of your flowers. Later on you slide on all your flowers, make sure to get out 5 inches (thirteen cm) of thread on each end. You'll need this to tie the thread together and shut the lei. With this excess thread and all knots, you'll end up a 40 inch (102cm) lei (measured lengthwise once it's closed).^[ix]

4. 

   4

   Cut the thread off the needle and knot it. Hold the thread tightly so it doesn't sideslip back into the carnations. Tie the ends of the thread into a knot to keep the carnations on the thread. Tug on the thread to make sure the knot holds.^[x]

5. 

   5

   Necktie the ends of the lei together. Bring both ends of the lei together to class a circumvolve. Tie them together using a triple knot and trim whatsoever excess thread.^[11]

6. vi

   Use the lei every bit before long as possible. Since yous won't be keeping the carnations in a vase, place your lei in the refrigerator to go along it looking fresh equally long every bit possible. If you lot don't take access to a fridge, spray the lei with a mist of cold h2o and wrap it up in a newspaper towel.

   • In one case your lei has served its purpose, don't throw it in the garbage. Take the flowers from the string and return them to nature, either by burying them or throwing them in a body of water.^[12]

Inquire a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

• Leis are often given with a slight bow. The recipient is allowed to accept the lei and put it over the caput. It can be considered rude to raise your easily above another person'south head.

• This blazon of lei is chosen a "Kui." There are approximately 7 other types of Hawaiian leis that are made in different styles with other materials. The "Hilo" lei is made by twisting 2 different strands of flowers together, in a double helix.

Things You lot'll Need

• 50 carnations
• Needle
• 100 inches (254cm) of thread
• Scissors

Nearly this commodity

Article Summary X

To brand a carnation lei, beginning by threading your needle with 100 inches of dental floss or carpet thread and necktie a knot at the end. Next, cut the stems off about fifty fresh or plastic carnations and accommodate the flowers in your preferred order if you lot're using multiple colors. And then, stick the needle into the face of the first blossom, push button it through, and slide the bloom down to the knot. Finally, repeat the process for the balance of the flowers, knot the other end of the thread, and tie the ends together! For tips on how much thread to get out earlier tying it off, read on!

Did this summary assistance you?

Thank you to all authors for creating a folio that has been read xxx,667 times.

Did this article assist you?

Source: https://www.wikihow-fun.com/Make-a-Carnation-Lei

Share this post