How to Make a Tongan Kafa and Kahoa!

Cut a strip of felt to desired length for the base of the kahoa.

Sew the 2 mm Mac cord directly onto the felt without cutting it from the spool, creating smaller loops.

Add brown cord by sewing it onto the felt, forming loops and placing them between the black cord.

Cut out black felt triangles and sew them onto the base of the kahoa, placing them halfway down to show the loops.

Sew a piece of cord above the triangles, leaving 3 to 4 inches on each side for tying the kahoa.

Cut out triangle shapes from red faux leather using a Cricut and use fabric hot glue to attach them to the kahoa.

Hand cut a small strip of red leather to go across the top of the kahoa.

Cut a strip of felt to the waist size for the gafa, adding extra inches for shrinkage.

Sew a thicker 6 mm cord in the center onto the felt, leaving extra inches on each side for tying.

Sew a slightly smaller 4 mm cord in rows to cover the felt, trimming excess while avoiding cutting the thicker cord.

Burn the ends of the cords to clean up the edges.

Prepare red triangles for the waistband, cutting them slightly larger and leaving a strip at the top for connection.

Cut strips of the 6 mm cord and wrap them in the 2 mm cord, using E6000 glue to secure the wrapping.

Measure and mark the waistband to evenly space out the gafa loops, stitching them on with black embroidery thread.

Attach the red triangle design using fabric hot glue on the extra strip of felt at the top of the waistband.

Add small shells to the gafa belt and kahoa, gluing a strip of black felt to the back of the waistband for a finished look.

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens