How to Make a Sari Out of Fabric
Saris are a traditional garment worn in India. There are various styles and designs of saris for every day work and elegant formal wear. Traditionally saris are woven, then dyed and embellished with elaborate hand embroidery, beadwork and tribal designs. When making your own sari, pick a fabric that already has decorative borders or designs for a more authentic look. The border of the sari is one of the most important aspects of the garment.
Things You'll Need
- 6 yards fabric
- Embroidery thread, sequins, beads
- 2-inch wide matching ribbon
Instructions
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Add embroidery, beads or sequins to the sari border. If a border is already present on the fabric, add beads or embroider over some of the designs for added effect. If no border exists, sew a purchased border onto the fabric or embroider your own designs. Beads and jewel stones can be incorporated for a party wear look.
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Embellish an approximately 3 foot section of the right end of the fabric. This will be the pallu, or scarf portion that drapes over your shoulder. The end should match the border and expand upon the concepts included in the border. For example, if the border has flowers and small peacocks, the pallu should have large peacocks and flowers along with other elements, such as the birds forming a heart.
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Stitch a ribbon border across the top of the sari. This will keep any decorative border from scratching you as you tuck the waist in while draping the sari. The ribbon can be stitched to add length to the sari if you need extra height, or with the top edges together to shorten the sari. The ribbon should not be more than 2 inches wide.
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Pair the sari with any tank top, tube top, bra top or form fitting top that you have. They do not have to match, but should complement each other. The top can be embellished with leftover border and beads from the sari bottom to make the set.
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Tips & Warnings
When choosing your fabric for the sari, consider its weight, as you will be carrying that weight on your body, plus the weight of any embellishments you add. A heavily decorated sari can weigh upwards of 30 lbs.
It is not necessary to hem the remaining side of the sari, however, you can add ribbon as an embellishment or hem if you choose, to prevent unraveling of the fabric.
References
- Photo Credit Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images
