Obi (Cloth Belt) troubles

Hey all.
I made the Obi in the traditional Japanese tie on style. It fits great except for ONE teeny problem. it curls on the bottom and top portions. Maybe it's b/c I'm so short in my torso. I looke as Qui Gon and Obi Wan's cloth Obis and they don't appear to curl . Anyone have some advice so stop mine from curling on the top and bottom?



Thanks for any help
jauhzmynn

 

I haven't had the problem of curling. But, since you do, my suggestion is interfacing. That means taking it apart or making a new one.

I made the fabric belt for the Jocasta Nu with very stiff interfacing and it works perfectly.

 

Well, I've seen your costume pics, and your obi (as well as the entire ensemble) looks just fine (great in fact). I wouldn't wory about the curling...it's the nature of the garment (the obi that is) to do that.

Aside from Lady Kai's use of interfacing on her Jocasta Nu costume's obi, I think that any obi will curl as you wear it.

The photos that you see of the Jedi (Qui Gon, Obi Wan) a lot of times are production shots...where the garb has been "straightened" before the pic is taken.
Likewise, on the set, garments are constantly adjusted between takes...it doesn't reflect the normal wear and tear on the costume...

My views, anyway...

--Kai

 

Actually, with the right fashion fabric and enough of the right weight of interfacing...it doesn't curl. But's it's also not actually an obi, it's more of a fabric belt.

I agree that the "standard" jedi obi gets pretty scrunched up. They don't look straight and smooth during Ep I action scenes.

 

I agree with Jedi_Kai, use interfacings. If you want it to really not curl at all, use the hard one (but not the hardest!) and if just a little stiffness, the normal kind which will harden a bit after a while; both ironable.

I used the quite stiff, iron-on one for my IRG Obi and it hasn't curl at all although I got a pretty disproportion waist area (smaller in the centre but bigger top and bottom. )

 

I agree with Kai.
My own Obi rides up and curls, and I'm 6'2, so meh!

Try a different style if you want, then you have both!

 

Thanks.
So I'm stick between it looking pristine all the time or looking more realistic as in real life use? I don't wanna take it apart. But I can grab some more fabric for a another Obi and try the interfacing. I'll use raw Silk fabric. How does thsiiterfacing keep it from curling? The sapce between my wasit and hips is only VERY small. TINY waist in the middle but larger at both ends.
How do I affix the interfacing? What does interfacing loo like?

jauhzmynn

 

Interfacing is a stiffener that is applied between the layers of the obi. I didn't think to ask whether you made the obi of 2 layers. I normally do so, though it's a pain to turn.

The interfacing is cut a bit smaller than the fashion fabric so that it doesn't make the seams bulky.
("fashion fabric" is a term referring to the outer, or visable, fabric)

Interfacing can be iron-on or stitch. I use iron-on as it is faster. It comes in several weights.

Another technique is to use an interlining. This is yet another piece of fabric, usually something stiff like canvas, added between the layers of fashion fabric.

When I want to make something REALLY stiff (like a bodice), I use heavy interfacing ironed-on to canvas interlining.

 

jedi-Kai,
It's a total of 5 feet long so it can wrap around me 2 xs.
My Obi is made of 2 layers of Raw Silk. I think it's slightly lighter in weight then linen. I used Amber's pattern for it. (Found on the Jedi Meditation chamber site).

I can try to make another one and place the interfacing in that one.

Thanks
jauhzmynn