buy sisal at any florist store. In our store you can buy sisal fibers of different colors. The price of sisal is very low, so it is often used by needlewomen all over the world. How to use sisal correctly? How much is needed for this or that product? Such questions arise quite often, which is why I decided to write this article. I hope it helps you at least a little in working with sisal. What does sisal even look like for florists? How is it packaged?
The use of sisal in floristry is very widespread. It is used for room decoration, for arranging bouquets and flower arrangements, for gift wrapping, for making souvenirs, dolls, toys, in the production of handmade soap, jewelry and topiary.
See below for several ways to use sisal with photographs of finished products. I will not describe how to make this or that product in detail. There are already several of my articles on this topic, so now I will just show what can be done from sisal fibers.
Exquisite topiary
You will need: cream-colored sisal, alabaster, glue gun, newspaper, flower pots, yarn, barrel, scissors, decorative elements - flowers, beads...
Master Class
- Form a ball out of newspaper and secure it with yarn.
- Roll sisal balls.
- Cover the ball with flowers and sisal balls, just leave room for the trunk.
- Make a hole with scissors to the depth of the ball, apply glue to the barrel and secure it in the ball.
- Dilute the plaster to the consistency of sour cream, pour it into a flowerpot, immerse a tree trunk in it and hold it in a vertical position for 3 minutes.
- Wait for the plaster to harden.
- Decorate the base of the tree with sisal and flowers.
- Decorate the topiary by gluing beads.
Exquisite sisal topiary is ready!
Why is it used in mattresses?
Picture 4. Used to make mattresses
Sisal - what is this material and why is it used in mattresses? Natural fibers are ideal for creating orthopedic mattresses. Recently, this type of fabric has begun to be actively used in many spectrums.
Note! To produce an orthopedic product, layers are made using dry fibers. They are also impregnated with latex.
These elements come in different thicknesses. Due to its high strength, the sisal layer evenly distributes the body load along the entire length. Thus, a unique orthopedic effect is achieved. If specialists used the natural material sisal in the production of mattresses, then the products will differ as follows:
- wear resistance;
- durability;
- healing effect;
- moisture resistance;
- withstand heavy load.
Autumn topiary made of sisal
You will need: a foam ball with a diameter of 15 cm, brown sisal, twine, PVA glue, a brush, a stick for a 33 cm long trunk, plasticine, acrylic bronze paint, walnut shell halves, dried chestnuts, acorns with caps, dried apricot kernels, plaster, water, snail shell, decorative dragonfly, plastic pot 10cm high, foam mushrooms, pumpkins, pears, apples, berries, artificial flowers and grape leaves, scissors, glue gun, sandpaper.
Topiary parameters: height – 40cm, crown diameter – 20cm.
Master Class
- Make the branch smooth using sandpaper.
- Paint the trunk, walnut halves and acorns with bronze paint.
- Attach the stem to the bottom of the pot using plasticine.
- Mix a thick gypsum solution in a 2:1 ratio and fill ¾ of the pot, then leave to harden for a day.
- Wrap the foam ball with twine.
- Apply hot glue to the twine and wrap it with sisal.
- Cover the ball with chestnuts and walnut shell halves, do not forget to leave space for attaching the trunk.
- Make a hole to the middle of the ball's depth.
- Carefully coat the table with glue and secure it in the ball.
- Coat your palms with PVA glue and roll sisal balls.
- Decorate the crown in this way: glue grape leaves, pumpkin, mushroom, pear, acorns, berries, sisal balls, decorative dragonfly and flowers.
- Place a layer of dried apricot kernels on the plaster surface and decorate the top with sisal.
- Create a composition at the base in this way: glue 4 grape leaves, an apple, an acorn, a pear and a chestnut, and attach flowers between them.
- Glue the snail shell opposite the main composition.
Author: Alena Tikhonova
Autumn topiary made of sisal and chestnuts is ready! I recommend watching the video master class!
AUTUMN TOPIARY made of chestnuts and acorns with sisal balls! DIY autumn crafts
What is sisal and where is it obtained from?
Sisal is a perennial plant of the Agave family, native to tropical and subtropical regions. It is grown for the coarse fiber produced from the leaves. Characteristic features are a short stem and a large rosette of fleshy leaves up to 2.5 m long and up to 12 cm wide.
The plant is interesting for cultivation precisely because of its leaves. They produce a coarse fiber, which is also called sisal. The fiber is used to produce strong ropes, ropes, packaging materials, washcloths, brushes, and mattresses. The leaves are also used to produce a number of medicines.
Sisal fiber is attractive due to its strength, resistance to rot and mold. It does not absorb moisture, is not afraid of sunlight, is resistant to temperature changes, does not stretch, is lightweight and durable.
An important point is the naturalness and environmental friendliness of the raw materials. True, it all depends on the manufacturer. Unpainted material boasts the greatest environmental friendliness. Sisal has natural antistatic properties, so crafts do not attract dust, which is important for the microclimate of the house.
Topiary “Berries on the snow”
You will need: red sisal, a wooden pot (plant pot) 9cm high, pieces of sponge or foam plastic, plaster, water, scissors, white acrylic paint, a corilus branch for the trunk, halves of a walnut shell, a foam ball with a diameter of 12cm, artificial snow in a spray can , glue gun, decorative elements - plastic red snowflakes, small and large red apples, sugar berries, white fabric leaves, snow-covered stamens, rhinestones and half-beads.
Topiary parameters: height – 33cm, crown diameter – 18cm.
Master Class
- Use scissors to make a small hole in the foam ball.
- Prepare the barrel so it is smooth, then sharpen it at one end.
- Apply hot glue to the end of the barrel and insert into the hole of the foam ball.
- Cover the ball with walnut shell halves, placing them close to each other.
- Paint the trunk and crown of the topiary with white acrylic paint in 2 layers, then leave to dry.
- Roll the sisal balls so that they are slightly smaller than the size of the shell.
- Paint the plastic snowflakes white on one side.
- Decorate the crown by gluing sisal balls, apples, berries, stamens, snowflakes and beads.
- Glue snowflakes and rhinestones onto the flower pots.
- Place pieces of sponge in a pot, then mix a thick gypsum solution in a 2:1 ratio, fill ¾ of the pot and leave to harden.
- Paint the plaster surface white and leave to dry.
- Decorate the plaster surface by attaching red sisal, bullseye and stamens.
- Treat the finished tree with artificial wood.
Author: Alena Tikhonova
New Year's topiary “Berries on the Snow” is ready! I recommend watching the video master class!
NEW YEAR'S TOPIARY made of NUTS and SISAL! Combination of red and white, restoration of a wooden pot
DIY sisal dyeing
Craft stores offer pre-dyed sisal, but finding the right color can still be difficult, especially if you want pastel colors rather than bright and flashy ones. As a dye you can use:
- Dry pastel. It dissolves poorly in water and gives a weak color. This is exactly what you need to get pastel colors.
- Gouache.
- Acrylic.
- Synthetic dye for soap.
- Construction color.
- Hair tonic.
- Food coloring. It gives a bright and rich color.
- Fabric dye. Working with it will take more time, but the paint will penetrate deeply into the fibers and the color will be rich.
- Watercolor. With its help you can get a variety of colors and vary their tone with the amount of water. There is no need to buy a whole set of art paints if you need a specific color. Watercolors are sold separately in tubes.
It is best to dilute paint in hot water. Add the required amount of paint to a container of water and place the sisal there for five or more minutes. Then rinse the fibers with water and dry. Ready-made sisal products can be painted with spray paint.
Bright sisal topiary
You will need: a foam ball, a flower pot, green and white acrylic paints, a branch for the trunk, green sisal, small stones, paper, a glue gun, a brush, wire, scissors, jute thread, decorative elements - berries, flowers...
Master Class
- Paint the foam ball green and the branch white.
- Make a hole to the middle of the ball's depth.
- Carefully coat the table with glue and secure it in the ball.
- Secure the tree in the pot in this way: place a sheet of paper on the bottom of the pot and cover it with stones, place the trunk among them.
- Wrap the ball in sisal, securing it with hot glue.
- Attach berries and flowers to decorate the tree crown.
- Decorate the base of the tree with sisal and decorative elements.
Bright sisal topiary is ready!
How is fiber obtained?
What is sisal material made from? Fresh leaves from the agave genus are used to obtain natural fibers. This is a perennial tropical plant that is used for industrial purposes. Each leaf of the plant contains a number of long, straight fibers that can be removed in a process known as decortication.
Fiber extraction
This species is grown on plantations in Asia and Africa.
Sisal - what is it, what is it made from and how is it used in practice? Mexican sisal is not subject to special processing. Using a decortication machine, the leaves are crushed, resulting in the fibers being separated. They are thoroughly cleaned and washed with cool water. Sun drying is recommended.
Note! A brush is used to process the fibers.
Original topiary
You will need: white and purple sisal, glue gun, artificial flower stems, scissors, gypsum, purple flower pots, foam ball with a diameter of 6cm, purple flowers, lilac ribbon for bows, white openwork braid, beads, key pendant, lavender essential oil .
Master Class
- Use scissors to make a small hole in the foam ball.
- Twist the flower stems together, drop hot glue inside the foam ball and insert the stems.
- Roll white and purple sisal into equal sized balls.
- Glue the balls onto the foam ball, placing them tightly together.
- Glue flowers between some balloons of your choice.
- Make ribbon bows, then glue them onto sisal balls.
- Dilute the plaster to the consistency of sour cream, pour it into a flowerpot, immerse a tree trunk in it and hold it in a vertical position for 3 minutes.
- Wait for the plaster to harden.
- Prepare the sisal, apply hot glue to the plaster surface and glue the sisal, then glue the flower.
- Attach a key pendant and tie an openwork braid around the tree trunk.
- Decorate the topiary by gluing beads of your choice.
The original sisal topiary is ready! I recommend watching this video!
MK DIY SISAL Topiary \Lilac Dream
How is sisal used in needlework?
What is sisal material and what is it used for? Needlewomen often ask this question. It should be noted that natural fabric is often used in floristry. Any novice craftswoman can make handmade items to transform the interior. Depending on the task at hand, the needlewoman can choose either a dense or thin texture to create crafts for the holiday, for example, Easter or New Year decorations.
Sisal in needlework
Topiary made from sisal balls
Many people do not know that ball topiary is also called the tree of happiness. Their structure should not be loose or transparent. Otherwise they will easily unravel. More durable products add extra weight to the wood. The ideal option is medium density.
Balloon topiary
When making fibers for balls, you need to take into account the length. Basically, this value should not exceed more than 38 cm. If the ball is small, then you will have to take a minimum amount of fibers. For example, a product up to 15 cm will bloom regularly. It is not recommended to use wet material. Wet, even fibers do not connect one after another. After they are dyed a different color, you need to wait until the fibers dry.
Important! If you don’t have time to wait, then you can take a hairdryer and dry the product.
Sometimes the fabric starts to prick your hands, so you can moisten it a little. Before performing work, the material must be cleaned of excess substances. It is advisable to remove very thick fibers, as they practically do not curl. If you still have to start working with such fibers, then the protruding ends of the product must be carefully trimmed with scissors.
Manufacturing process
The ball must be twisted from different sides to avoid creases. You can add rigidity to the product using PVA glue.
Mattings on the floor
Mattings made from plant fibers come in delicate, natural shades:
- beige,
- swamp,
Floor mats - advantages
- gray,
- green,
- brown tones.
Such mats do not look bright, but decent. Thanks to this, they are suitable for any home or apartment. To perform this important element in decoration, two methods are used: manual, mechanized.
What technique is used to make carpets?
Carpets that are made by hand are called kilim or sumac. The kilim is the same on the outside and inside. Sumac is a fabric with longitudinal threads. The manufacturing process is painstaking and complex.
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The most economical option is to purchase a mat, which is produced using a mechanized method. Today you can find matting of any length. To obtain such a carpet, the method of weaving natural threads or ropes of different thicknesses and densities in a checkerboard pattern is used.
Sisal tree of happiness
You will need: flowerpots, thin and thick wire, building plaster (alabaster), green sisal, foam ball with a diameter of 8cm, glue gun, thick threads, brown acrylic paint, PVA glue, 4 pcs wooden skewers, chain, scissors, decorative elements – apples, leaves and a bird.
Master Class
- Form a trunk from thick wire, fastening with thin wire, as shown in the image.
- Dilute the plaster to the consistency of sour cream, pour it into a flowerpot, immerse a tree trunk in it and hold it in a vertical position for 3 minutes.
- Wait for the plaster to harden.
- Form another branch from thin wire and attach it to the trunk.
- Wrap the ball with thick threads.
- Use scissors to make a small hole in the foam ball.
- Apply hot glue to the end of the barrel and insert into the hole of the foam ball.
- Make the modeling mass in this way: mix alabaster, water and pva glue to the consistency of thick sour cream, then coat the entire trunk and wait until it hardens.
- Paint the trunk with brown acrylic paint in 2 layers and leave to dry.
- Roll sisal balls.
- Glue the sisal balls, apples and leaves onto the foam ball.
- Make a swing using skewers and a chain.
- Hang the swing on a branch and attach the bird.
The sisal tree of happiness is ready! I recommend watching this video!
TOPIARY MAGNET for the refrigerator. DIY gift MK/DIY
Which sisal is suitable for creativity?
Craftswomen discern elements of beauty in fibers and actively use sisal for creativity and handicrafts. The material lends itself well to coloring and shaping.
For creative work, three main types are used:
- Sisal fibers are the most popular material and are sold in bundles (tangled), spools and skeins. Before work, it needs to be divided into parts so as not to get confused. Suitable for various tasks - from filling voids to creating crafts for decoration, toys, and jewelry.
- Compressed into a thin sheet , sold in sheets or rolls, like crepe paper. They are actively used in floristry, scrapbooking, postcard making, and also for gift wrapping.
- Sisal rope is a durable and beautiful cord, suitable for decorating boxes, flowerpots, picture frames, mirrors and photos, and vertical compositions. It makes long-lasting scratching posts for pets. You can hang various decor and flower pots on a sisal rope.
If you need a little canvas to decorate a craft or bouquet, then you can press sisal with your own hands. Simply distribute thin threads on thick plastic film, creating the desired pattern. Apply a layer of wallpaper vinyl adhesive on top, cover with thick film, arrange a press on top and leave for three days.
artificial sisal on sale in the form of a mesh with fuzzy cells of different sizes. It comes in a variety of colors and is intended for arranging bouquets, floral arrangements, gift wrapping, and creating crafts. Typically sold in rolls.
Flower topiary
You will need: pink and beige sisal, building plaster (alabaster), a small pot, white fabric, pink tulle, glue gun, newspaper, thick floral wire, decorative elements - flowers, beads, ribbons...
Master Class
- Form a newspaper ball with a diameter of 10 cm.
- Roll sisal balls.
- Glue the flower to the top of the ball, then glue the sisal balls around the flower. In this way, decorate the entire crown.
- Form a rope from beige sisal and wrap it around the wire, securing with hot glue.
- Bend the wire to create a shaped trunk.
- Glue the beads around the perimeter of the barrel.
- Make a small hole at the base of the crown and glue the trunk into it.
- Glue beads and berries to the crown.
- Dilute the plaster to the consistency of sour cream, pour it into a flowerpot, immerse a tree trunk in it and hold it in a vertical position for 3 minutes.
- Wait for the plaster to harden.
- Prepare a square of white fabric, gather it towards the trunk and tie it with a ribbon. Repeat this process with tulle.
- Glue the berries, butterfly and rose to the base of the tree.
- Tie a ribbon at the base of the tree crown.
Sisal flower topiary is ready!
Making fiber from improvised materials
Sisal - what is it, a question that interests many manufacturers. Sisal fibers are completely biodegradable. This is a durable material and is moisture resistant. For their production, soy protein is used, to which gelatin is added. Thanks to the modified soy protein resin, high stability is ensured. Products can withstand any mechanical or thermal impact.
How fibers are made from improvised materials
Many people wonder: sisal - what is it, what is its texture? Thanks to its unique properties, sisal is a durable material that absorbs paint. Therefore, you can find products in different shades on the market. This fabric contains no pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Topiary using kusudama technique
You will need: green sisal, decorative bills, flowerpots, green satin ribbon, building plaster (alabaster), glue gun, scissors, strong cable, wire, foam ball with a diameter of 7 cm or a newspaper ball, thick threads, food bag or bag, decoration elements - golden berries or candies, a bird...
Master Class
- Cut the bill in half to make a square.
- Fold the workpiece diagonally.
- Fold the edges of the triangle up to form a diamond shape.
- Straighten the small triangles in height, then fold the corners.
- Fold the triangles inward along the marked lines.
- Fold in half and glue the module inside.
- Make 5 modules in the same way, then glue them together to form a flower.
- Make 22 flowers.
- Line the inside of the pot with sisal.
- Cut a corner off the food bag, or use a bag and place it on top of the sisal.
- Dilute alabaster with water to the consistency of thick sour cream and pour it into a bag.
- Install a cable into the plaster as a trunk and 3 pieces of wire for branches.
- Leave the plaster for a day to completely harden.
- Remove the bag from the plaster.
- Insert the plaster into the planter and hide it under the sisal.
- Wrap the trunk and branches with green tape, secure the edges and ends of the tapes with hot glue.
- Twist the wire to create beautiful curls.
- Make a “pound” in this way: cut the bill in half, glue the edges together to form a cone, fill it with sisal and golden berries, then insert the banknote into the curl.
- Wrap the ball with thread.
- Wrap the ball in sisal, securing it with hot glue.
- Make a hole to the middle of the ball's depth.
- Carefully coat the table with glue and secure it in the ball.
- Cover the ball with kusudama banknote flowers.
- Glue the bird onto the tree crown.
- Decorate the base of the tree with golden berries.
Topiary using the kusudama technique is ready! I recommend watching this video!
BERRY TOPIARY made of sisal \ GIFT WITH YOUR OWN HANDS
Properties of sisal rope
A rope made of sisal natural fabric is distinguished by its durability, visual properties, and environmental friendliness. This product is used in the manufacture of fastening elements for loading and unloading operations, as well as in construction. Some designers use this item as a decorative element.
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Properties
Due to the fact that no heat treatment is used in the production of fibers, and there are no chemical additives, the ropes perfectly maintain their performance qualities. There is no charge of static electricity on the surface of the product.
Chemical composition of fibers:
- Cellulose - 65%,
- Hemicellulose - 12%,
- Lignin - 9.9%,
- Waxes - 2%.
Ideas
Secrets of sisal shades
The soaked material is laid out to dry on clean album sheets. It is better not to use newspaper, as letters may be imprinted. To get a variety of shades, it is worth practicing mixing dyes. You can also use ordinary brilliant green, blue, potassium permanganate, beet juice, coffee, strong tea and many other traditional substances that can impart their color to the material. To obtain pure white sisal, use regular “Whiteness”. In this case, you need to soak the fibers for 6-8 hours or just overnight.
Linen or woven sisal - what is it? To create appliqués, sheets of this fiber, also dyed in various colors, are used. To make sisal fabric, take an oilcloth, on which the material is laid out in a fantasy order and covered with wallpaper glue on top. The resulting workpiece is covered with another layer of film and pressed down with a flat board.
Benefits/applications of sisal fibers
Since ancient times, sisal has been the leading material for agricultural twine due to its strength, durability, stretchability, and resistance to salt water deterioration.
Sisal is often used in shipping for mooring small vessels, securing and moving cargo.
Topiaries are a fashionable decorative decoration for the interior and are perfect as a gift for any occasion. It's quite simple to do. The main thing is to think about the design and style, and if you are new to this business, follow the step-by-step instructions. In this article we will look at how to make a sisal topiary with your own hands.
Sisal material: master class “Topiary”
To create a unique craft in the form of a tree, a needlewoman will need a small set of tools and materials, as well as two hours of free time. What you will need:
- Sisal in the right color.
- A pot or jar to secure the structure.
- Floral wire, glue gun.
- Plaster from the nearest hardware store.
- A special plastic or foam ball. You can make it yourself from tightly bunched paper wrapped in thread or cut it from a floral sponge.
- Elements for decoration: sisal balls, beads, satin ribbons, ready-made flowers and berries.
