How To Make Money Haku Lei

How to make a haku lei lei po'o (flower crown)

August vii, 2019

A haku lei is a Hawaiian lei worn around the head, otherwise recognised as a flower crown. Normally they are worn on special occasions such as luaus, weddings, graduations then on.

** updated **

Haku lei meaning

"Haku" refers to the technique in which the blossom crown is made either past braiding or weaving flowers and foliage together, "Haku lei" means weaver of lei. When I first published this post I was nether the impression the threading technique used in this blog mail service was also for a haku lei, as this was the technique used for the "haku lei" I was given equally a gift from an independent florist on the island of Maui. I have since learnt that the threading technique used to make the blossom crown I received and learnt in Maui is used to brand lei worn on the neck (lei 'ä'ï) and head which are called Lei Po'o non haku lei. And then really this blog post is a tutorial on how to make a lei po'o.

This threading technique is far easier than weaving a hawaiian caput lei, lei po'o, or flower crown then if you're interest in learning keep reading on.

In 2020 I historic Postcards from Hawaii's first birthday in Hawaii on the island of Maui, I also historic my altogether for which I had asked Michael just for 1 gift: a haku lei. Using a local florist on the island he chose a really simple crown made from white plumeria, scarlet rose petals and a few sprigs of something greenish. Information technology was the first time I had seen a haku lei or flower crown that wasn't woven or fabricated with wire and tape, equally I mentioned above I accept come to acquire that this is because of a miscommunication and it was a lei po'o not a haku lei. This one was made in the aforementioned traditional way every bit a lei that is worn around the neck (see paradigm below) merely it was finished on each end with a ribbon then it was adaptable to the wearer.

During my time spent in Hawaii I have taken classes on how to make lei 'ä'ï, lei worn on the neck and ti leaf lei, braided lei made with ti leaves. The technique for making the lei po'o in this tutorial is what I learnt in Maui.

Bloom crowns are a popular accessory for weddings, christenings, infant showers, wedding showers, birthdays and more. If you are interested in learning how to brand really quick and simple still stunning flower crown. This threading technique is cheaper, easier and less time consuming should yous need to make more than one before your special occasion.

In this blog post I have featured two different types of lei po'o so that you can decide which artful yous desire. One is more elaborate; a tropical statement piece made with flowers I had mitt selected from contained florists Crown House Flowers and The Rose Garden in Norfolk, England. The other is much smaller, more than practical, and cost constructive lei made with flowers from the supermarket.

Equally I mentioned this technique is a lot quicker and very simple, but information technology does include the utilize of a needle so please brand sure that any children who wish to brand this are accompanied by an adult.

Choosing your flowers and foliage

The 4 master points that you want to keep in mind when selecting your flowers are:

1. Weight

Y'all don't want the flowers to be too heavy. I learnt this later on using big chrysanthemums in my larger head lei, they volition counterbalance downward the crown and with little to support information technology, it will slip downward your face. This doesn't mean you tin can't become for big flowers, only brand certain you don't select too many heavy ones.

2. Construction

As you are pushing a needle through them, you want your flowers to exist quite house. You will detect how fragile the rose petals are one time they are pierced with the needle, they are ok because they will be sandwiched quite tightly, but you lot want your main flowers to stand up strong. Example of flowers with construction are modest chrysanthemums, germini, gerbera or scabiosa. Also go on in mind how large the base of operations of the head is, for example: carnations. Although they have a beautiful flower, they have big heads which are hard to encompass, leaving you with a large green gap. Look for flatter bases such as germini or small chrysanthemums. Speaking of construction, the same applies for the leaves. Endeavor to pick strong leaves or ones that accept a thick stem and then they don't autumn autonomously when you put a needle through them.

3. Be thrifty

Accept advantage of what you take effectually you. I'm non at all suggesting you decapitate your neighbour's rose bush, but be more aware of the leaves on trees and bushes. Picking a selection of leaves from your garden or the park will relieve you money. They don't even have to be particularly interesting ones either, they can be pulled off the stems of the supermarket flowers if need be! Of course, if you are going for a big, bold tropical look, I strongly recommend going to a florist because they are your best chance of finding philodendron or umbrella fern.

iv. Quantity

Don't get too carried away! It's and so easy to practice, particularly if you are buying them in a florist, and it volition surprise you how little you lot need. For the smaller of the two head lei that I fabricated, I only bought 3 bunches of flowers and fabricated the rest upward with petals from ii different coloured roses and leaves from my garden, these three bunches could easily have fabricated two Hawaiian flower crowns.

5. Cost

For the larger haku lei I wanted bigger flowers and tropical leaves that would make a statement. I bought a selection of flowers that featured zantedeschia, dahlias, zinnia and more than from two florists and together that cost £30. I am aware that this is plush and really only viable for a special occasion, but they did brand a wonderful statement haku lei that reminded me almost of the ones in Hawaii. I didn't use all of the flowers then I put the remaining together in a vase to make the most of the money spent.

For the smaller and cheaper haku lei, I used flowers from my local Morrisons supermarket. I bought 2 bouquets of pocket-sized chrysanthemums in pink and orange and ane bouquet of white germini, to accompany these I used the remaining rose petals I bought in the florist and a choice of leaves from the garden. The bouquets were £iii.50 each or two for £5, so collectively I spent £8.50. I know, much more reasonable, that's why I've made ii versions for you!

What you lot need to brand a blossom crown

Pair of scissors (for cutting the ribbon and thread)
Secateurs (for cutting the flowers and leaves)
Tape measure (for measuring the thread)
half dozen or nine inch upholstery needle (to pierce and sew together the flowers)
2 metres of extra strong thread (to concord the lei together)
ane metre of ribbon (to tie the open ends of the lei together)
A selection of flowers and leaves

Stride-by-step tutorial for how to make a Hawaiian lei po'o (flower crown)

Whether you accept bought your flowers from a florist or the supermarket, make sure that you sit them in water until you are prepare so they remain fresh for as long every bit possible.

1. First past beheading your flowers with intendance using the secateurs. Yous want to cut as shut to the lesser of the caput of the flower as possible, removing all of the stalk. Don't cut all of them, first with a few and cutting every bit y'all go, this style if yous don't utilise them all, you lot can put the remaining flowers in a vase.

ii. If you are using rose petals, gently pluck the petals off the head.

3. Using the tape measure, measure out and cutting 2 metres of the thread.

4. Thread information technology through the needle and then that the thread is doubled (the needle is in the middle of the thread).

5. Tie the ends together with a couple of knots.

half dozen. Begin to thread the flowers on in the order you desire, being careful with the signal of the needle as you do. Equally yous push the first flowers down the thread towards the knots, leave about 10cm of the thread so the flowers don't fall off and that you lot have plenty thread to tie the ribbon to.

7. Thread on your flowers and leaves in whatever club yous fancy. It is upwardly to you if you lot want to create a pattern or not, but if there are certain flowers that you want to use at the front, exist enlightened of how far y'all accept worked down the thread. Also every caput size is unique so keep holding information technology up to yours to gauge how much further you have to go.

8. The reason I recommend using a longer needle is because lei are made with ane (unfortunately I couldn't find any at a reasonable cost) because they make the process quicker. With a longer needle, you can thread on multiple flowers and and then push button a larger department down the thread.

9. Once you have your desired length in flowers, cut the thread at the eye of the needle.

12. Make certain the ribbon and thread is securely tied to each other earlier cut the excess thread.

13. All y'all have left to do is carefully elevator your Hawaiian flower crown, lei po'o, to your head and tie the ribbons together at the back of your head. A bow with a double knot will secure it.

If you are making your haku lei for an occasion it is all-time to arrive on the day so that the flowers are their freshest selves. If you want to make the most out of, sprinkle information technology with h2o and shop information technology in the fridge. Depending on the flowers y'all chose information technology can terminal a couple more days.

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Now yous know exactly how to brand your very ain Hawaiian head lei inspired flower crown you tin brand them for all sorts of occasions: weddings, baby showers, birthday parties and more.

If you practice make one please share them using #postcardsfromhawaiiblog and I will share them on my Instagram stories.

Do more on & for the planet, Gabriella

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