How to Make a Lantern Ilima Flower Lei

The Lantern Ilima is a non-fragrant but beautiful flower that is yellow and red in color. These colors are noted as royal colors in the Hawaiian Islands. When made into a lei, its beauty can be seen from afar. In Hawaii and many other Polynesian islands, giving a lei is noted as an expression of love. It can be given to friends, family and acquaintances of all ages.This lei is very common in Hawaii and can be seen at various events such as a luau, graduation or at birthday parties. It is normally sold at local stores and lei stands near the airport.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 6 inch Lei Needle
• 6 feet of White thread
• 40 Lantern Ilima Flowers

1. Hold the needle steady and place the thread through the eye of the needle. Match up the ends of the thread. Hold them together with one hand and pull the needle down to the middle with the other hand. There should be 3 ft of thread on each side of the needle.
2. Place the needle on a table or counter top. Hold the ends of the thread approximately 3 inches from the end and tie a double knot.
3. Select one lantern Ilima flower and hold it at the bottom of the stem with the petals facing up. Place the point of the needle underneath the bottom of the stem. Push the needle through the bottom of the stem and continue on through the center of the stem and flower.
4. Pull the entire needle through the flower until the flower is on the thread only. Hold the stem with one hand and the thread with the other. Pull the flower gently down the thread until it reaches the knot at the end.
5. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until there is approximately 3 to 4 inches of thread left. Keep the flowers close together without any space in between them. After the last flower is strung, tie the ends of the lei together in a double knot. Leave a 1/4 inch of space between the first and last flower.

Tips & Warnings

• Tie a red, yellow or white bow made out of ribbon where the ends meet to accentuate the lei.