Ganutel - flowers made of thread and wire. The article is devoted to the technique of making such crafts. The name comes from the word canutiglia of Italian origin, which translates as "thin, twisted thread."
A bit of history
They invented flowers from wire and thread in one of the monasteries located on the island of Malta, even during the Crusades. In the 18th century, the art of making such jewelry began to spread throughout Europe. However, in the last century, flowers made of wire and thread were declared absolute bad taste, and such decor completely disappeared from the homes of the inhabitants of the Old World.
Only the ancient custom of decorating the altars of Catholic churches allowed to preserve this type of needlework. Moreover, to this day, Maltese monks are ordered to make such artificial flowers for St. Peter's Basilica and the residence of the Pope.
More recently, the government of this island nation has decided to revive interest in the traditional ganutel technique. Courses were organized where they taught how to make flowers from threads and wire with their own hands.
What is required to make a simple ganutel decoration
In our country, flowers made of threads and wire became known relatively recently, but immediately there were many who wanted to wear a tiara made in this technique for the wedding. Ganutel decor is also suitable for bags, and it is also used to create a buttonhole for the groom.
To make the simplest version of a flower from threads and wire you will need:
- scissors;
- knitting needle or hook;
- shiny threads (iris, silk or metallic floss);
- wire;
- green satin ribbon.
Which wire is suitable for creating jewelry using the ganutel technique
Oddly enough, experienced craftsmen do not recommend purchasing materials required for the manufacture of crafts in specialized stores for needlework. In their opinion, a reel of colored wire with a cross section of 0.3 mm, including imported, is not suitable. It is better to use its analogue from copper, intended for repair and creation of windings of transformers and electric motors. Such a wire with a cross section of 0.2 mm at a price of 200-400 rubles. per 1 kg is used after double addition. When choosing copper coils, it is better to take a lighter wire that looks more tender.
A wire with a cross section of 0.31 mm is absolutely not suitable.
How to make blanks
Flowers from threads and wire (see photo above) are created as follows:
- cut a piece of wire 30-50 cm long;
- the wire is tightly screwed onto the hook with a spiral, starting from 1/3 of its length;
- 29-30 turns are produced;
- the end of the wire bends at an angle of 90 degrees so that the result is a "P" -shaped design;
- the workpiece is stretched to the sides to the desired size.
Making a petal
By the method described above, twist 7 blanks. When the work is completed, begin to create the petals.
For this:
- each spiral is bent into a teardrop-shaped loop;
- the straight ends of the wire are connected, wrapping around each other so that a petal frame is obtained;
- take the thread of the desired color;
- tie its tip to the place of twisting of the wire;
- pulling the thread towards the opposite edge of the petal frame and, rounding the wire spiral, draw it back to its base;
- again, thread up with a shift of 1 curl of the spiral to the left;
- “Go down” back with a shift to the right;
- continue to wind the thread in the same way, shifting by one turn of the spiral;
- the result is a petal.
Flower assembly
By the method indicated above, it is necessary to produce the required number of petals of the desired shape. Then they are folded together and twisted the base. To make it a stalk, a green satin ribbon or strings of the same color are tightly wound around it.
Having reached the bottom of the base, make a couple of revolutions and rise, continuing to wind the tape, up to the middle of the stem.
Further:
- make 2-3 turns around the stem, right at the base of the free loop;
- tighten the resulting leaf with a loop;
- spread the petals;
- Sew or paste with a hot glue to the center of the flower a bead.
Another option for winding threads
Those who are interested in how to make flowers from wire and thread can try other ways to create them using the Maltese traditional ganutel technique.
In particular, there are several options for winding threads on a billet frame. For example, you can do this:
- fasten the thread at the base of the frame;
- wind it on the frame, as on a coil, passing between the turns of a spiral;
- reaching the top of the petal, make a revolution around the spiral;
- skip the thread in the middle of the frame up to its base;
- loop the thread at the base.
Creating a composition using the ganutel technique: what you need
For such a craft you will need:
- 60 g of multi-colored beads;
- wire with a diameter of 0.7 mm;
- knitting needle for winding springs and creating blanks;
- 0.4 mm thick bead wire;
- silk threads with a metallic sheen;
- scissors;
- beads for the core of the flower;
- floristic ribbon;
- glue gun;
- ruler;
- pliers;
- a plate
- decorative butterfly from beads.
Operating procedure
Creating blanks is carried out in a slightly different way than described above. The procedure is as follows:
- the finished spring is evenly stretched so that there is approximately the same distance between the turns;
- inserted inside a piece of wire thicker;
- make a loop, for this purpose bend the workpiece using a bottle of the desired diameter, and twist the ends together;
- give the petal or leaf the desired shape.
Then proceed to winding threads using a parallel method. For this:
- the workpiece is wrapped with thread;
- fix the end of the thread at its base;
- wrap the workpiece, moving up, and not missing a single coil of spring;
- complete the process in the middle upper part of the frame;
- the thread is lowered down;
- pull, bending the frame.
Other petals are made in the same way in the right amount.
Assembling and decorating a flower
First of all, stamens are made of wire and beads. For this purpose:
- 2-3 beads are put on a thin wire twice as long as desired;
- fold in half;
- twist.
Thus, create the right amount of stamens. Stack them together. Placed around the petals and tightly wrapped with wire. Free ends twist. Make out a leg with a floral ribbon.
Build composition
After the required number of colors and ribbons is made, they proceed to the final stage of work.
For this:
- alabaster bred with water;
- pour into a decorative plate, not reaching the edges of 1 cm;
- wait a couple of minutes;
- insert the tips of the stems into the alabaster to the bottom of the plate;
- until it hardens, sprinkle its surface with multi-colored beads;
- attach a decorative butterfly to a plate.
Some tips
The best assistant for learning how to make flowers out of thread and wire is a book. You can print the diagrams using a printer. They will allow you to create a sketch for the original crafts. So you can immediately assess how much wire, thread, beads and beads you will need, as well as get an idea of the final form of the composition, buttonhole, tiara or other decor item that you are going to make.
Using the ganutel technique, you can make very beautiful and original earrings. To do this, you need a sufficiently strong wire. After the ends of the wire are connected, a "droplet" is formed. They put on a metal bead. Then we wrap one end around the other three times and cut off the excess. A loop is made from the 2nd end. Attach schwenz to it. Wrap a "drop" of multi-colored threads in the manner described above. The result is a very beautiful earring. Another one is made in the same way.
Now you know how to make flowers from threads and wire. Products created using the ganutel technique will become an original accessory for your wedding hairstyle, decorate the outfit of a little princess or can be used as a decor for a headband, bag or boutonniere.