How to stretch new belt...

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[Nick P.]

Everyone,

I recently obtained a new belt, and it is a tad short for my liking; anyone know of any good tricks for stretching it out? It is an Iwata brand belt if that makes any difference...

I cannot exchange/return it as it is a gift as well as being embroidered.

Thanks!

[Mark Uttech]

Try losing weight. I am not trying to be funny here.

In gassho,
Mark

[giriasis]

I don't think a belt can be stretched. If it was a gift and it doesn't fit then perhaps put on a special display in your home so you still honor the giver of the gift. Then go out and buy yourself a belt that fits.

Oh, why assume that the person needs to lose weight? Perhaps someone bought a belt that was a size too small?

[crbateman]

I second the display idea... I have my nicest one hanging around a katana in a lighted art niche. Looks good there. Just tell the giver that you do so much sweating, crying and bleeding in the dojo that it would surely get ruined there, and it's just too nice for that. Then show a picture of some guy in his ratty-ass old "gamer" black belt with no black left. That should get you off the hook. If you really want to take it on the mat, you can probably get a larger one done just like the gift, and the giver need never know.

[Kevin Wilbanks]

You can probably get an extension sewn in the middle if you really want it done. Buy another belt of approximately the same specs and check out the alteration shops in your area.

[Janet Rosen]

[QUOTE=Kevin Wilbanks]You can probably get an extension sewn in the middle if you really want it done./QUOTE]
yep. these are woven to NOT stretch.

[Bridge]

Buy a larger belt that looks identical and transfer the label from the small belt to the bigger one?

[Nick P.]

I had not thought of displaying said "shorty" belt and getting another; that is a great idea!
The only reason to keep it in ciruculation is that it is my first black belt given to me by my sensei, though in the end, as he has said, it is only a belt...and I think he would like the display idea.
In fact the hakama he gave me years ago as a farewell gift I can now use, and the "shadow box" I had it displayed in is now free.

As for loosing weight, i am 6' and about 175 lbs. Even when I was down around 160 lbs my waist did not change much: 32 is always too small, 33 just right, 34 almost always too big. But perhaps I should try harder.

Thanks everyone; keep the ideas coming.

[Neal Earhart]

Buy a new belt from Iwata. Have the same embroidery done on the new belt as was done on the belt you received as a gift.

Then display the belt that was given to you as a gift.

http://www.alpha-net.ne.jp/users2/iwataco/frame2e.html

[sullivanw]

Hmmm... I suggest performing technique, such as Nikyo, and slowly and gently applying the pin. The belt may tap too soon, but with time it should become quite stretched out! :p

Ha ha, couldn't resist. Actually, I have no idea about stretching a belt. Many assert that it is designed to not stretch. Maybe if it was damp it would have a little give to it, and you could repeatedly try stretching it? Good luck,

-Will

[Janet Rosen]

Will, this one "who asserts" makes her living cutting and sewing cloth.There will be no significant stretch in a belt because they are specifically made to, well, belt.

[Nick P.]

...or I can live with the length.
6,825 yen + embroidery + shipping

I have several Iwata gi, and they are all worth every dime, but for some reason I cringe at the belt cost.
Zoiks.

Buy a larger belt that looks identical and transfer the label from the small belt to the bigger one?

Bridget, it's embroidered; the kanji are stitched right into the belt. Good idea though, thanks.

[akiy]

...or I can live with the length.
6,825 yen + embroidery + shipping
Do you really need a 7.5 cm wide "Aiki Belt" that would go three times around your body?

http://www.alpha-net.ne.jp/users2/iwataco/beltintoroduce.html

Otherwise, the regular black belts cost around 2,300 to 3,000 yen or so depending on the fabric that you want:

http://www.alpha-net.ne.jp/users2/iwataco/pricelist-e.html

-- Jun

[Nick P.]

Thanks Jun, I missed that part. THAT would have been a shock if I would have taken the plunge on that.

Can anyone decifer what the cost for embroidery would be based on this link?
http://www.alpha-net.ne.jp/users2/iwataco/frame2e.html

One of the belt has my name in 2 kanji, the other end has aikido in 3. Thanks!

[Neal Earhart]

Can anyone decifer what the cost for embroidery would be based on this link?
http://www.alpha-net.ne.jp/users2/iwataco/frame2e.html

One of the belt has my name in 2 kanji, the other end has aikido in 3. Thanks!

It looks like on the price list page at the bottom, it's 315yen per character for embroidery on "other" items, which I guess would include belts.

edit: I checked my invoice from my last Gi order from Iwata. They charged 420yen per character for the jacket/pants

[Nick P.]

Awesome, thanks Neal.

Anyone here interested in making a group purchase from Iwata to lower shipping charges?

[sullivanw]

Will, this one "who asserts" makes her living cutting and sewing cloth.There will be no significant stretch in a belt because they are specifically made to, well, belt.

Hmmm... point taken. I really have no idea then.

Nick, I hope an acceptable solution can be found.

-Will