"I tried making a half-width obi / Tsubaki Miki"

I was hoping to do some sewing during the long autumn nights, but suddenly the weather has turned to winter.

This time, I used 21 Count Plain Weave fabric to make a half-width obi that can be used on both sides.
Here is the pattern I chose.

Textile sold in cuts (21 Count Plain Weave) / SO-SU-U Black
Textile sold in cuts (21 Count Plain Weave) / SO-SU-U White

I was just thinking about getting a black obi to tie with my red Kimono, so
Speaking of black, it's got to be SO-SU-U! So I'm going to make one with different colors on both sides.

Since the pattern runs top to bottom, cut the fabric horizontally and join 4 pieces of fabric 110cm wide together.
*The seams are visible on the body, so if this bothers you we recommend choosing a different method.




Fabric length: 1m each

Belt width: about 16cm
Length: Approx. 430cm

So we'll make it!




①First, instead of soaking the fabric, place it in a laundry net and put it in the washing machine.
*Since Hand-printed dyed, there is a possibility of color bleeding if it is left in water for a long time or not dried properly.
Once the fabric is dry, iron it.

②Pick up one weft thread at the edge of the fabric, leaving a 1cm seam allowance, and remove the thread.
The fabric may bend when cutting, so the mark left after cutting will create a straight guideline.


③ Leave a 1cm seam allowance and cut 4 pieces of fabric x 2 patterns (for both sides) = 8 pieces in total.
Cut the fusible interfacing exactly without leaving any seam allowance.


④ Place a pressing cloth on top and press the adhesive interfacing with an iron.

⑤ Pin each part together while paying close attention to the pattern, and sew them together.
Press the seam allowances and iron them.


I did it like this, just making sure that even though the patterns were cut off, they were staggered.

⑥ Place the different colored fabrics together with the front sides facing each other and roughly sew with basting thread a few millimeters outside the finished line.
A safety pin would probably work, but the fabric is very long so it would be difficult to do, so I used basting thread.


⑦Once you have finished sewing the long side, sew one of the short sides to make a bag shape.
Cut off any excess dough edges and corners.
* Be careful not to cut the thread.


⑧ Put your hand through the opening of the bag and flip the dough inside out.
Pull out the corners with a needle to make it as square as possible.


9. Iron the opening of the bag so that the seams are not visible.
Stitch a U-shaped seam and it's finished!




I tried tightening it right away!


■ Wearing products
Muslin Wool Kimono（Fully Lined）/ Gold Damask
Turtle Neck Shirt / Black 3
Muslin Wool Wrap Skirt / Black
Festival Split Toe Tabi Shoes High Cut / Black×Fence
Obijime (Obi-jime) *Personal item


I had this "balloon drum" image in mind even before making it, and it turned out great!
That FuroshikiIt seems like it. A lot of people asked me if I was wrapping it in a furoshiki. lol




It can be worn in a variety of different ways, such as wrapping it up to show off the lining.
This is a "flapping ribbon knot" using triple string.



I thought a softer obi would be easier to use, so this time I made the fusible interfacing for regular fabric (a bit softer), but it was quite spongy and I found it quite tricky to wrap it around my waist.
However, this may also be a good option when you want to wear Kimono in a casual manner.

If you prefer a firm, crisp obi, we recommend using a stiff interfacing.




This concludes Tsubaki's sewing blog.

See you soon!

(camellia)