Wednesday, September 11, 2013

How To Wrap A Turban With Ease

By Kate McMahon


Many people, men, women and children included, in several Asian and Middle Eastern societies wear a distinctive type of head wear for religious, cultural and practical reasons. It is a covering made from twisting a single length of fabric around their heads to form a high circular formation that encompasses the top skull section. These are instructions on how to wrap a turban in one a style that is commonly worn.

The process begins by placing a tight fitting cotton cap over one's head. It should be brimless and of solid color without any type of ornamentation such as embroidery or jewels. The purpose of this covering is to protect the hair from becoming tangled in the cloth as it is wrapped and to keep the final product looking neat.

The covering will be made from a single length of fabric that needs to be a yard wide and at least six foot long, longer if one wishes to have a larger finished product. Material is a personal choice that may be based on the purpose for which one is wearing the hat. Prepare for the process by halving the cloth four times along the long side until it is roughly about four inches in width.

Holding one of the four inch ends against the lower portion of one's neck on the right hand side, the fabric will be pulled up over the head towards the left. This first pass should be high above the ear and then across the forehead. As one continues around, they should come in close to the right ear and follow the hairline on the neck.

As one continues wrapping towards the left side, it should be brought up low behind the ear and then up and across forehead again. The point where the two layers intersect should create an "X" right at the hair's base line. Until one has had the chance to practice the technique, this first part may seem quite awkward but it will quickly become more comfortable with each try.

Continue wrapping in like manner only each time around, leave approximately one inch of the previous round showing beneath the new one. With each fresh pass, the circles will become a bit wider and a little higher. This is how the classic layered and rounded look is ultimately achieved.

When the entire length of fabric has finally been added to the pile, take the inner edge of the last one and tuck it beneath those encircling the center. It is normal and expected for the middle section to show an exposed section of skull cap. Gently pull out the piece that started the whole thing, releasing the end from the nape.

Open this loose section up and flatten it out, smoothing it over the exposed area of under cap. Take all the loose edges and tuck them firmly underneath the circle of cloth surrounding the center. These instructions on how to wrap a turban will help even a beginner to create an authentic looking head piece in the classic style.




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