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How to make a Taiko Obi for Kimekomi doll

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Kimekomi Doll Making｜Attaching the Obi (Belt)

1) Preparation

Download the obi pattern

Preparing fabric creases with an iron — Fig.1: Use an iron to set creases in the fabric.

Folding the obi fabric to width — Fig.2: Fold the obi fabric and adjust the width.

Tucking the edge of the folded obi fabric — Fig.3: Fold to about 7 cm width and tuck the fabric edge into the groove.

2) Making the Obi (Hand & Tare sections)

Folding the core into thirds — Fig.4: Fold the core into thirds.

Folding the fabric in half and ironing; squaring the core — Fig.5: Fold the obi fabric in half and iron. Trim the core to a right angle.

Aligning the core to the fabric center — Fig.6: Align one side of the tare core to the fabric center and fold in the seam allowance.

Applying glue to the core — Fig.7: Apply glue to the core where you folded the allowance.

Bonding the allowance with an iron — Fig.8: Bond the glued allowance with an iron. Keep in mind this side will be the front.

Finishing the fabric ends — Fig.9: Finish the ends in the same way as before.

Area not to be glued — Fig.10: Do not glue area A.

Pre-creasing section B — Fig.11: Pre-crease section B with an iron as in Fig.6.

Folding to tuck the edge — Fig.12: Fold as if inserting the edge into the crease.

Back side view for checking finish — Fig.13: Back side. Keep the front view clean while finishing.

Final check 1 — Fig.14: First finishing check.

Final check 2 with sewing or glue — Fig.15: Either stitch or glue. If stitching, keep stitches invisible from the front.

Finished look example 1 — Fig.16: Example of finished look.

Making both the hand and tare sections — Fig.17: Make both the hand and tare sections in the same way. Use a two-fold core here.

Hand and tare sections completed — Fig.18: Hand and tare sections completed.

3) Attaching the Obi to the Doll

Preparing nails and folding the hand section — Fig.19: Prepare thin nails (about 1.2 cm). Fold the hand section in half with the back side inside.

Nailing position 1 — Fig.20: With the unfinished side on top, drive a single nail at about one-third from the top.

Nailing position 2 for the tare — Fig.21: For the tare, place the unfinished side down and drive two nails.

Shaping the tare like an obi — Fig.22: Shape the tare into an obi. Place the hand piece horizontally.

Nailing position 3 — Fig.23: Check the position and drive the nail.

Nailing position 4 — Fig.24: Drive the nail on the other side as well.

Offsetting the opposite side — Fig.25: Offset the side opposite the hand slightly outward.

During attachment process — Fig.26: During the attachment process.

Inserting the hand piece to balance — Fig.27: Insert the hand piece and adjust the balance to finish.

Finished

Obi attached and finished — Finished: Obi attached and balanced.