Friday, September 6, 2013

Instructions On How To Wrap A Turban

By Kate McMahon


In several Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, the people often wear distinctive head coverings that show social standing or a religious belief or simply because they like the way it looks. One such item is formed by creatively twisting a long length of cloth around the skull several times to make a particular style. This is how to wrap a turban in a simple standard manner.

Before beginning, one needs to obtain a cap that fits snugly over the head, covering all hair. Traditionally it should be of plain white cotton without any type of embellishments like lace, jewels or embroidery and no brim. The function of this covering is both to keep the turban from sliding around and to prevent tresses from getting caught and tangled in the fabric as it is wrapped.

The process begins with a piece of cloth that measuring a minimum of six feet long and at about a yard in width. The fabric may be longer is a bigger wrapping is desired and it can be of most any material such as silk, cotton or linen, all depending on whether one wishes to achieve a functional product or just one that looks pretty. It needs to be folded in half lengthwise four times until it is approximately 4" wide.

Place the first short end against the nape of one's neck on the lower right side. Start winding the length by going up and to the left over the head, high above the ear. Bring it across the forehead and then around towards the back, coming very close behind the ear on the right and continuing the flow following the base hair line.

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.

After the last bit of cloth has been placed, take the edges and tuck them up under those beneath them. A section of the under cap will still be visible right in the center part of the head, so there is no need to worry that something was done incorrectly. Locate the very first layer of fabric and carefully work to release it, feeling the pull a the nape as it pulls up and becomes free.

One it has been released, gently unfold it and spread it out across the exposed cap and smoothing it to a smooth layer. Take the loose ends and secure them by tucking under those that are rounding the center. By following these instructions on how to wrap a turban, most anyone will be able to create a classic look that can be personalized with just a few variations.




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