A flower lei is known worldwide as a symbol of the aloha spirit! Whether for love, friendship, or good luck, these colorful, often fragrant flowers are used for graduations, weddings, birthdays, and many other celebrations. These are the steps for a traditional Hawaiian flower lei.
Step 1
Gather the items in the "Things You'll Need" section.
Step 2
Choose your flowers (stringing method depends on flower type). The flowers used throughout the island include: Walahe'e Haole (Mock Orange), 'Awapuhi ke'oke'o (White Ginger), 'Ilima (Hibiscus), Kepalo (Bouganvilla), Kiele (Gardenia), Kupalo (Tuberose), Loke (Roses),Male (Stephanotis),'Ohai Ali'i (Poinciana), 'Okika (Orchid), Pikake (Arabian Jasmine) but the most famous is Melia (Plumeria).
Step 3
Decide how you will string them. Depending on the flower, the methods are either straight in a single pattern through the center of each flower, or Circular/Double pattern through the stem of each flower. For this step by step, we will discuss the Plumeria flower lei with a single pattern.
Step 4
Take your needle and thread the eye with thread or fishing line.
Step 5
String each flower directly through the center of the flower. (You will need approximately 50 Plumeria blossoms for a single 40 inch lei.) These are somewhat idiot-proof flowers in that they have holes (tubes) right down the center...perfect for making leis!
Step 6
When you have finished stringing all the flowers, tie off the thread/line and cut off any excess.
Step 7
Add a ribbon if you wish! Now you are ready to present it to whomever you wish to honor.
Tips
lei making supplies - Don't refuse a lei when offered one. This is considered to be disrespectful.
- Leis can be worn more than once. Fresh leis should be kept in a plastic bag in the refrigerator between uses to keep it fresh. It can be lightly misted to keep it hydrated.
- Plumeria leis are generally good for two days.
- Traditionally, when visitors left the islands, they threw their leis into the ocean. If the lei drifted back to the shores, it meant that they would return to the islands again someday.
- After wearing the lei, never throw it away in the trash, but rather place it where it can return to the earth. If you leave it outside, it is a good idea to cut the string so animals won't have a chance of getting tangled in it.
- Dental floss can be used also, it is stronger than thread and easier on the hands.
Warnings
- Plumeria have milky sap which is poisonous. Allow it to dry before stringing.
- Do not refrigerate Plumeria leis.
Things You'll Need
- Lei Needle or sewing needle (stainless steel)
- Thread or fishing line
- Flowers
