Remedial Hijab Lessons

Assalamu alaykum y'all.

Yes, I am in need of remedial hijab lessons. I have resorted to wearing slip on Al-Amiras because of my inability to pin or wrap them right. No matter what I do, or how hard I try, they are lopsided, slip off, become twisted or look like they are objects on my head, not part of me. The biggest problem I have is slippage. Despite using underscarves, they always slip off, and I find myself hiding in dark places so I re-adjust them. I just cant get a snug fit! I can't even DREAM about wearing an oblong shayla, that just throws a monkey wrench in my routine.

Ive watched videos on you tube, illustrations on the web etc...... and I still can't get it right.

Any suggestions? I almost never go to the masjid.....that's a whole 'nother post.

Help!

26 Birds Chirpin':



Mumina said...

Asalaam alaikum,

What is the common material in most of those scarves you are having trouble with? I personally don't like slip-ons, I use mostly oblong scarves for hijab. I have problems with some of my scarves (that I rarely wear now, unless taking a quick trip to the store and back) that are made of more slippery material, similar to satin. Not quite satin, but of a similar texture. Argh, I just went to check to see if I could get the material name, but I always rip the tags out of all my scarves (the tags annoy me). I find success with more cottony fabrics, that have friction against itself.

I wish I could explain better, but all my scarves are missing the labels...

iMuslimah said...

Wa alaykum salaam Mumina,

Most of them are georgette or crepe (square), I have one or two cotton ones. I didn't to me occur to experiment with different fabrics. It doesnt helo that I get them all from the internet. I ought to drag myself to brroklyn (the nearest muslim shopping extravaganza) and just get some professional help!

Do you put anything in your hair, so the underscarves stay in place better?

Shukran sis,

iMuslimah

iMuslimah said...

Wa alaykum salaam Mumina,

Most of them are georgette or crepe (square), I have one or two cotton ones. I didn't to me occur to experiment with different fabrics. It doesnt helo that I get them all from the internet. I ought to drag myself to brroklyn (the nearest muslim shopping extravaganza) and just get some professional help!

Do you put anything in your hair, so the underscarves stay in place better?

Shukran sis,

iMuslimah

jilbabble said...

Underscarves and pins are a must.

Whichever type of scarf you use - square or oblong... after you put it over your head - use a safety pin or hijab pin to fasten it under your chin (make sure you have an underscarf!!!). Then wrap one end over your head and pin it on both sides.

Also.. it is key that when you put your hijab on.. one side is longer than the other. That way you can wrap the longer side over your head (I like the Triple-Threat-Hijab-Is-Suctioned-To-My-Head look.. I'll post a pic on my blog)

When I started.. I was using like 4 pins in my hair to stay in place. Now I'm proud to say that I can totally rock the Shayla-With-No-Pins look. Sad.. but it is one of the few talents I possess.. *sigh*

American Muslima Writer said...

Not only getting non-slippery fabrics but practicing all the time on pinning and wrapping technique. When I used the oblongs (even slipperys)-with straight pins (with pearl tops) to keep from undoing- I had to give myself a good 15 minutes to wrap it before leaving to make sure I didn't look stupid. I would pin and un pin and wrap and unwrap for a good 15 minutes everytime i went out and now I'm a pro at it.
As for the triangle/folded sqare ones I carefully put them on top and pull gently on the two ends until they are even. Then using safety pins I'd pull it in front of my chin and pin it wiht enought overlapping fabric so that there would be no space when the pin is under the chin, showing my neck. Then I'd add pins evenly down the split line until it was closed (usally only 3 safety pins).
All hijabs I use an underscarf because they would always fall off. I use only cotton and make sure they fit snugly around my head. Pulling your hair into a bun works best with a middle or side part on top. (No part means it will slide off-for me. hair resistance here lol) Maybe also if you add water to dampen your hair before putting it on it helps to hold the underscarf on.
Usually the tighter you stretch and pin it the better it will stay Usually make it really tight then after you set it in it's place Fluff it a little then it stays pretty much all day (or until you have to take it off for wudu).
Best to meet with sisters and have a hijab practice session. My sister in law helped me the first time with the oblongs.
By the way make sure any oblongs you get aren't see through even double wrapped people make the mistake of not thinkgin about if it is not see through or showing their neck. Have fun !

Big Sis said...

Sorry sister for the delay - my blog on diabetes is complete!

UmmAbdurRahman said...

hey imuslimah, you know i've perfected the work hijab. When you have to wear it for 9+ hours you are forced to get really good at it.

I'm so about to confuse you, but maybe it will make sense. I take a large(60inch) pebble georgette square hijab. I fold it into a triangle. I leave more material hanging on one side and pin it at my neck. Usually the short side is on my lef. I bring it over to my right shoulder and pin it to my shirt. The longer left side I wrap around like an oblong scarf. I use small straight pins(that are used for holding hems or whatever when sewing) to hold in place. One on left side, top, and right. It sounds super freaky with all those pins, but mashaAllah it looks great. It stays all night.

Wish I could give you a tutorial.

Hijabi Apprentice said...

Asalaamu Alaikum Sister,

What kind of underscarves are you wearing? I like the kind that are like a snug cap that you tie in the back. They are usually a cotton blend. Even if your hijab slips a bit until you get the hang of it with this kind of underscarf no one can see your hair. I also like the lace "headband-ish" ones. Do you use a pin? When I have a particularly slippery scarf I pin it to my underscarf on the crown of my head and that works.

Insha ALlah you will get the hang of it soon.

ma'a salaamah,

ha

Umm Salihah said...

Salaams sis,

I had the same problem as you for a long time. I wore the square hijabs folded in half and pinned under the chin for about 7 years (with nothing underneath) until my best friend showed me how to wear the long hijabs. I use a wide tube style bandana underneath (like a very wide headband which keeps my unruly hair in place) and pin under the neck (safety pin) with the rest taken over my head and pinned with a long hijab pinat the side. I also use pretty hair pins to keep the end of the scarf from moving.

It took me ages to get the hang of it and now its a doddle. Really all thats needed is lots of practice and I think the tube hairbands. The type are mean are in the following link (but are also at lots of other sites):

http://www.safahouse.com/pd_underscarf_tubes_-_many_colors.cfm

Mumina said...

Asalaam alaikum sis,

I do not put anything in my hair or even wear an underscarf to keep my hijabs in the place. I don't know your ethnicity, but I am Black, with a mixed father and a mixed maternal grandfather, so my hair is weird - I think it can be compared to the hair of Afro-Domincans (I used to always get confused for a Dominican before I wore Hijab). So, the Hijabs kind of stay in place for me without needing a cap.

I also get most of my hijabs online. I do have georgette, and they work fine for me. Sometimes it takes a while to get the right wrap around and pin position to make it stay put, but with the more cotton-type fabrics especially, sometimes I don't even ned to use a pin, just tuck it in. I found a new one I have that is made of polyester, those work well for me too.

Have you ever shopped on hijabgirl.com? They have material descriptions with each product, from what I remember.

Umm Salihah said...

I tried to post a comment about my ineptness at wearing hijab at first, but I think I might have lost it somehow.

Oh, BTW, you've been tagged:
http://www.happymuslimmama.com/2008/03/six-word-memoir-meme.html

Hadiya425 said...

The ones I like are the cotton square hijabs. Just fold in half and pin at the neck. Maybe not the most creative thing to do with a scarf, but it gets the job done. :-)

Ma'Salaama

Hadiya425 said...

The ones I like are the cotton square hijabs. Just fold in half and pin at the neck. Maybe not the most creative thing to do with a scarf, but it gets the job done. :-)

Ma'Salaama

amani said...

assalam alaikum,
Just wondering how the pregnancy is going, and leaving you my new blog url: www.oldschoolmuslima.com

amani said...

Go to ebay and search "mona hijab". I know some sistes who swear by this syle. InshAllah, you will find something that works.

Safiyyah said...

Salaams Sis:

Sister Mumina is right about the fabric; it's usually the satiny ones, polyester, that slip. Especially if you have soft or thin hair. Try a cotton underscarf - the tube type that comes with the amiras.

Worse comes to worse, you can try braiding your hair, or putting it into a bun so there's something for it to cling to or pin to.

The satiny ones slip off me, too. Any type of undercap or scarf also flattens my hair and makes it have static electricity!

Let us know how you make out!

Safiyyah said...

PS - I used to live in Brooklyn! Loved it, my sister still lives there. I lived there when I was married to the wasband (ex-hubby). Went to Masjid Ikhwa. By the way, you may have better luck going to New Jersey, especially Patterson. I was never real impressed with the Brooklyn stores for clothing. Philly is awesome for clothing!

Big Sis said...

Salam wa alaykum,

Not sure if you got my last comment but my blog on diabetes is on my blog!

safyy said...

Are they too loose? I put my scarf in front of my chin when I pin it (pin it so it foes in and out of both layers), then I pull it back and if it feels at loose at the top I kind of tuck in the sides at the top. If you are pinning in and out one side and then in and out the other side, that would make it difficult to keep it in one place.

I'm not an expert, just a newbie, hope that helps!

theangrymuslimah said...

lol.........I have this problem to.........I admit that's why I am a niqabee.......if not I wear the AL-Amira's to...

American Muslima Writer said...

by the way You're tagged! Write a six word memoir. See my blog for details and example. :)

Yasmine said...

I used to have this problem but somehow got the hang of it Alhamdulilah...I make them really tight...under my chin and and then just wrap the rest loosely....there is a trick to it...because if you make it too tight under your chin and when you wrap you'll feel as if suffocating...

I agree with Mumina; cotton shaylas are more "sturdy" I have satin like silk hijabs and they don't slip off often....I don't wear underscarves though...I think it has to do with how you do your ponytail...If you put the ponytail lower your hijab is more capable of slipping off...make it higher...and slick your hair back so that it does not get in your face or slip out...I put hairspray or gel...try that...

Peace, Yasmine

Mishu said...

As-salaamu 'alaikom~

Delayed reaction responding; your post came up in a search for decently priced underscarves. So, starting there: what style underscarf are you using? The lace band kind are always slipping around, and likewise for the tie-on kind ... even if they are practically circulation-cutting-off tight, they inevitably loosen throughout the day. The only thing that stays put for me are the stretchy cotton tube kind (like come with al-amiras).

Secondly, are you sure your georgette scarves are good georgette? A lot of what's sold as georgette are too smooth, more like chiffon. It should have a "tooth" to it when you run your fingers over it. Or, have you tried pebble georgettes? They have more texture than regular georgette.

Thirdly, have you tried oblong scarves? I actually get them to stay in place better than squares. Not really sure why, but it's just a thought.

And lastly, are you using enough pins? It's not unusual to find me with six pins stuck all over my head. :D One under the chin, one at the top of the wrap, one on each side of the wrap, and -- if you're a glasses-wearer like me -- one at each temple (I really hate the way a hijab will creep front over glasses arms).

Best of luck!

iMuslimah said...

Angry Muslimah, I cant view your blog!

Jannah said...

I usually wear a thin, lace underscarf. Pull it tight and pin it in the back with a safety pin. Then, i take another underscarf, usually cotton, and do the same. Then just take a simple shayla, for example, one side longer than the other. Pin it under the chin, wrap it around and pin on one side. ypu can do chest coverage as well with this or wrap it all the way around to maybe wear under a cpat. hope this helps! btw where in ny do u live? im in ny too!

Jannah said...

hmm i wonder why my post isnt being published??