How to Make a Lei Out of Flowers & Straws

Make festive leis out of silk flowers and straws for your backyard beach party or luau. These party favors are an economical way to stretch your party budget without looking like you did. You can make these leis well in advance of the party, which would not be possible with real flowers, and guests can save them as keepsakes indefinitely. Consider adding crafting time with your kids to your party preparation calendar and make the leis together. If a lot of children will be at the party, set up a table and supplies and let them create their own leis.

Things You'll Need

• Silk flowers
• Plastic drinking straws
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• String
• Tapestry needle
• Button
• Craft glue

Instructions

1. Pop the silk flower heads from their stems. Sunflowers, roses or carnations work well for this project. Remove all the plastic from the back of the flowers and in the center of the petals. Peel the petal layers apart. Each one of these petal layers will be threaded on your flower lei.

2. Cut the plastic drinking straws into 1/2-inch pieces. These will be the center bead spacers between the petals on your flower lei.

3. Cut a 36- to 40-inch piece of string. Alter this measurement to your personal taste. Thread the string on the tapestry needle. Insert the needle in the button and slide the button to the end of the string and tie a knot around the button. The button will prevent your flower petals and plastic straw beads from falling off as you thread them on your lei.

4. Thread the tapestry needle through the top of a single flower petal. Thread the tapestry needle through the bottom of another single flower petal. This will make the petals curl in both directions, adding dimension to the flower lei. Mix the flower colors or use just one. Add a plastic straw bead and repeat with two more petals. Continue this pattern for the length of the string.

5. Complete the pattern with a plastic straw bead, leaving approximately 6 inches of string. This will allow you to adjust the string on both ends to tie a knot. Cut the button from the end of the lei. Bring the ends of the lei together and tie in an overhand knot close to the flower petals and the plastic straw bead. Apply a dab of craft glue to the knot to secure it.