Chanhua DIY Tutorial: Make Your First Silk Flower in One Weekend

Before you start

You need a Chanhua starter kit or the equivalent: silk floss, wire frames, scissors, glue and a pin blank.

Step 1 — Separate the silk

Silk floss comes in a loose hank. Gently split a thin strand (about 1–1.5 mm wide when flat) before wrapping.

Step 2 — Wrap the frame

Coat the wire petal frame with a whisper of glue, then wrap the silk at a slight angle so the wire never shows. Keep tension even.

Step 3 — Build the flower

Layer petals from outside in. Rotate the flower as you go so the center stays tidy.

Step 4 — Assemble and finish

Attach the finished flower to a hairpin blank. Trim loose threads and store in a dry box.

Be patient with your first petals — craftswomen say the second flower always looks twice as good as the first.

Read next: How to care for silk flower jewelry.