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NA LEI |
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Lei Pepa and Lei 'Ea In later years, other fabric and crepe paper leis were made. The paper lei, lei pepa, was probably an invention that grew out of the early tourist trade. Strips of crepe paper are sewn down the center or along one edge with short running stitches. Several strips cut crosswise from folds of crepe paper are needed to make one lei. The sewn strips are twisted into spirals and are pushed together tightly at one end of the thread. Sewing, twisting, and pushing together tightly continues until the lei is finished. In the 1920s and 1930s the crepe paper lei makers invented some very ornate paper leis. The strips of crepe paper folds were cut along one or both edges with slits that were individually twisted; scallops; pointed scallops; and various combinations of slits and scallops. Sometime two strips of different widths and color are stitched together for another effect. The finished leis resemble leis of 'ilima, poni mo'i, 'awapuhi, and lehua. Reference: Ka Lei, The Leis of Hawaii by Marie A. McDonald
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