Making the Mari for Temari - Hints and Helps

        Making or choosing the absolute core of the mari (ball) is the first step in temari making, prior to preparing it for stitching by wrapping. While many beginner books and classes start people off with using Styrofoam balls for mari cores, making the mari is indeed as much a traditional and essential part of the craft as marking the ball and stitching the design - it's something every temari maker must learn how to do. Once you try making your own maris it's a safe bet that you may never go back to using a styro base again. The feel in hand that a made-from-scratch mari gives to your finished project is wonderful. More importantly, when you make your own mari bases, it usually gives a more substantial  stitching surface from the beginning without having to "cushion" something like Styrofoam.

        What to use for the mari core truly is a matter of personal preference... in a sense Temari is an age-old recycling project since it's believed the original mari were made from scraps of old clothing and kimono, plant material - anything that was available and not otherwise being put to use. That can still hold true today, though we are not limited to old kimono! Anything that can be formed into a ball shape can be used - but caution is advised to be sure that it is dry, non-decomposing /able material.

        It might be hard to believe if you have not tried it yet but -  it's easier to MAKE a mari and have it come out round, than it is to KEEP a preformed ball (such as Styrofoam) round while wrapping over it - yet it's true. There is a law in nature and science that guides takes over, and it says that if you apply even pressure to a mass (lump of stuff), that "lump" will take on the smallest surface area - which just happens to be (by natural definition, trust me) - a sphere. This translates into making a mari with: if you wrap the base material using constant/even tension while keeping it moving, you get a round ball. Honest. Truly. (More on this on the Wrapping help page).

        So  - temari crafters generally make their own mari regardless of what they might have been taught in a class or read from a book. That's not to say that there may not be times when something like styro fits the bill - if you are making a hanging ornament where weight is something to think about, then the lightness of a styro ball may be just the ticket. Overall most people come to prefer a little more "heft" and feel in hand of using something that has a little more substance to it, let alone that making the mari is an integral part of the craft.

        What you can use for the core of a mari is limited only by imagination for the most part - you just need to be sure that it's not going to deteriorate (i.e., rot) - it needs to be dry, free of bugs, mold, natural oils, etc.  This is a common discussion on TalkTemari, and over the years the favorites that have emerged are: added fabric, pieces of old socks; pieces of old sweaters, t shirts, etc. (any old clothing of light to mid weight, cut into small pieces - the smaller the piece the easier to mold into ball form); old nylons; dryer lint (honest); scraps of old fabric, yarn, etc; plastic grocery sacks (see, they ARE good for something!), shredded paper from cross-cut shredders; true economists will save their thread trims (called bits, orts, etc) and when they can no longer be used to stitch with, bundle what's left into a mari core. You are still not limited to these suggestions. Almost anything that is dry and can be molded into the form of a ball can be recycled into a mari core. Traditionally, rice hulls are used in Japan in modern day (in addition to recycling materials that have been discussed), and these give a wonderful mari base (see the Rice Hulls page for info on how to use and where to get them). Another modern material both here and in Japan is polyfill stuffing (like used in crafts and sewing). Most people find it helpful to put the material in a bag (appropriate size plastic), or old sock or stocking (if you want to include a noisemaker, this is the time). Either trim off the excess bag or twist the neck and wrap the excess smoothly around the ball to be. If using something like plastic grocery sacks, old yarn or batting, etc - that can just be wadded up and either covered with batting or wrapping, you may choose to not put it in something before proceeding - just wad it up. There is some quesiton about whether what you use for the mari should be something that you can push pins in completely (to their heads) - when you place marking pins. Obviously there is no "rule" but, my thought is you are making a mari, not a pincushion. Certainly the stitching surface needs to be such that you can securely take a stitch and also so that it will hold a pin but whether the mari needs to be somethign that must allow a pin to be completely inserted is personal preference.

       One option to consider is whether to use a layer of batting under the wrapping layers. This is a matter of personal preference both here and in Japan - you will see it used in some Japanese books and not in others. Some Western books and teachers include it, others not. There is no set rule.  It can aid nicely in smoothing things off and adding to the stitching surface; if not used you can usually prepare to wrap a bit more to create the deeper stitching base that the batting can contribute to. If using it, you only need to cut a few pieces to lay over the core and trim the excess - no need to do fancy "fitting" etc since it's going to be wrapped completely. Just remember to trim off any overlapping corners or edges so that you don't create a lump. If I use batting I prefer (and this is only personal preference) the thinner, lo-loft batting since it seems to form easier than regular loft. Remember - if you use batting and especially regular fill, it can add significantly to the finished size of the mari so plan accordingly when preparing your core.

        Another option is using fabric strips to smooth out the inner core. This is an older Japanese method, not seen too often today but, one to consider. Tear old fabric (think something like muslin or old sheeting) into thinner strips (1 inch or less), and use them to wrap and cover the mari base. It's another method to smooth and round things and provide an additional layer to the stitching base. Again, there is no rule that says you must or shouldn't.

        The basics to make a mari core are easy:

Check out the other pages on Temarikai for help and hints on wrapping, using noisemakers in the mari, using rice hulls as the mari base.... 

        and as an addendum, there are various "good wishes" extras that can be added to the mari. A common modern day good wish is to put a new penny of the year you are making the temari into the mari. A more traditional and old thought sent on to us :  "About a month ago I was talking to a Japanese woman who told me about the "Blessings" She said "my Grandmother makes those (temari) in Japan. She always puts a blessing in the ball under the wraps where it can't be found. The Japanese people believe that as you make a ball you are thinking good thoughts of the person who will receive it and because the blessing is silent it goes to Buddha (God). He keeps it in his heart. You as the recipient must look to Buddah (God) for all blessings because you know not which one you are to receive."


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Last updated 5/2009 © 1998, 2007, 2008, 2009  G.Thompson and Contributors from TalkTemari