A Brief Guide to Wrapping a Kimono (part 2)

How to wrap the Obi:
In a traditional Kimono, the Obi fabric runs the entire length of the Obi, but for budgets and other purposes, our Obis for the female Kimono are about half decorative fabric and half muslin ties.  The process of tieing the Obi is the same for both the female and male kimono.

Here's how you get started:

Lay one end of the Obi over the wearer's shoulder.  Make sure the wearer has a good grip on this end.

Begin wrapping the Obi around the wearer until you run out of decorative fabric, which should be in the center of the back.  (You may need to do this a few times to figure out how to place your fabric).

  Take the end from the wearer and tie a knot with the two muslin ends

Check the Obi placement and adjust the fit if necessary.

Carefully tuck the remaining fabric evenly between the obi and the Kimono, working around the body.

What follows is one way to create the obi bow, without using an obi brick - suitable for townswomen and other non-geishas.

  Feed a twill tie through the loop on the back of the small square obi piece.

Tie this piece around the main obi using the corner ties, covering any visible muslin.

To secure the cover, tie the ends of the twill tie around the front of the wearer.  Tuck any remaining ends into the obi.

Fold the obi drape in half.

Feed the folded drape through the cover and fold attractively.

  For men- you will only need to tuck the ends of the obi belt neatly between the Obi and Kimono.

And you're ready!!