FUROSHIKI TUTORIAL Folding the Backpack

Summer is fast approaching, accompanied by its beautiful sunny days! For this new article, I wanted to present to you a simple and quick folding of a backpack using a furoshiki , which can accompany you during your summer walks.

If you don't yet know furoshiki , I invite you to discover our previous articles on this traditional art of fabric folding:

• “Furoshiki - Our collection with Musubi” to learn more about this technique and discover our collection of furoshiki in collaboration with the Japanese brand Musubi
• “L’Atelier Furoshiki – Discover the Japanese art of fabric folding” to see some extracts from my latest book and discover more about its design
• “Musubi and the art of furoshiki ” to discover this Japanese brand of furoshiki and their Kyoto store

The folding that I am presenting to you today is that of the backpack! To make a bag of this volume, I used a 140cm square of “Cassandre” fabric from Mini Labo . It is entirely possible to use a smaller furoshiki (100/120cm side) if you want a narrower backpack, for a child for example. Whatever the shape of the objects to be carried, this flexible backpack will adapt perfectly.

To fold the backpack, you will need:

• a furoshiki with a minimum side of 100cm - A selection of furoshiki from 90cm to 104cm is available in store and on the e-shop if you wish to be tempted.
  OR
  
• a square of fabric with a minimum side of 100cm - In this case, equip yourself with a square of fabric on which you will make a 5mm hem. A wide choice of Japanese fabrics can also be discovered in store and on the e-shop!
  

Before folding the backpack, two basic knots are important to know, the hitotsu-musubi and the ma-musubi.

The hitotsu-musubi knot which allows you to make bag ends:

1. Form the point by placing the fabric well.
2. Start forming a loop by taking the tip at the front.
3. Pass the tip behind and place it in the loop.
4. Pull on the tip and tighten the knot .

The ma-musubi knot allows you to obtain an elongated knot , which can easily be undone if necessary.

1. Tie a simple knot .
2. Pass the left tip over, through the loop
3. Tighten the knot .

TIP - Step 2 is very important because it makes it easy to loosen the knot . So, to undo the knot, move the left tip to the right in order to slide the second tip without undoing the knot.

Now that we've covered the basic knots, let's get to folding the backpack without further ado!

FOLDING THE BACKPACK

1. Take points A and C.
2. With points A and C, tie a simple knot about 20cm from the points.
3. On points D and B, tie hitotsu-musubi knots .
4. With points C and D, A and B, tie new ma-musubi knots to form the handles.

TADA You have just transformed a simple square of fabric into a backpack!

The explanations presented above come from my latest book on furoshiki , published by Marabout editions! It brings together no less than 20 different folds illustrated with talent by my friend Sandrine Thommen , simple and quick to carry out, for wrapping and carrying all kinds of everyday objects (books, bottles, lunch baskets, etc.) as well as some practical tips to show you how this technique can easily be integrated into your daily life! I talked to you about it in more detail in the article “L’Atelier Furoshiki – Discover the Japanese art of fabric folding” .

If this article has made you want to try furoshiki too, you can find a selection of colorful furoshiki from the Musubi brand in store and on the e-shop!

For this series of photos, we went last year to the Viltain farm in Jouy-en-Josas to pick flowers and enjoy a beautiful sunny day! If you also want to go there, I invite you to follow them on their Facebook page and their Instagram account . Thanks to my dear Griottes for this address!

I hope you enjoyed this article. I'll see you very soon for new blog posts that smell like summer!

Until then take good care of yourself,

Adeline