How to Make Satin Leis
Leis are associated with the tropical island of Hawaii. The tradition began with the early Polynesian explorers who settled in Hawaii from Tahiti. The leis were crafted from nuts, flowers and seeds and were strung into garlands to be worn. The satin maile lei was sacred. It was used as a peace agreement among chiefs. Once an agreement was made the chiefs would intertwine the maile lei at a heiau, or temple. To make your own satin lei, you will need satin ribbon and a sewing machine. You will sew the ribbon together to create a simple lei.
Things You'll Need
- 8 yards 3-inch satin ribbon
- Scissors
- 4 pins
- Sewing Machine
- Matching thread
- 1 yard 5/8-inch satin ribbon
- Cellophane tape
- 4 large beads
- Large safety pin
- Candle
Instructions
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1
Cut the 8 yards of 3-inch ribbon in half so you have two 4 yard pieces. Choose ribbon that will be the base color of your satin lei. Place the two pieces of ribbon on top of each other
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2
Tuck the two ends of the ribbon on one side about 1-inch down and pin together with two pins. Tuck the other end the same way and pin together.
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3
Sew the long edge of one side of the ribbon together with your sewing machine in a similar color to the ribbon. Sew down the other side. You are creating a casing for the other 5/8-inch ribbon, so you will keep the ends open.
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4
Insert the end of the 5/8-inch ribbon with a large safety pin. Thread this ribbon through the casing you just sewed together. Pull it through, leaving ample ribbon on both sides of the casing, and remove the safety pin. Tie a bow on one end of the 5/8-inch ribbon so you do not pull it back out.
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5
Wrap cellophane tape around each end of the 5/8-inch ribbon. This will make it easier to thread the beads onto the ribbon.
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6
Thread two beads on both sides of the 5/8-inch ribbon. Tie a bow on one end. Pull the 3-inch casing ribbon closer to the end with the bow to scrunch up the lei. Once you are happy with the way it looks. Pull the beads closer to the casing ribbon and tie a bow to finish.
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Tips & Warnings
The more your scrunch your casing ribbon together the more casing ribbon you will need. For a thick and heavy lei, you will need about 24 yards of the 3-inch ribbon. Break it up into three or four sections for sewing and then piece together.
You can create another type of satin lei with a quilting needle and cut pieces of satin ribbon. You will string them together as you would a real flower lei.
Adult supervision is needed when sewing.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
