How to Tie a Scottish Sash

When the average person thinks about a traditional Scottish costume the first item that comes to mind is the kilt. What most people don’t realize is that the Scottish is actually the most important part of the traditional costume is in fact the sash that is worn diagonally across the person’s torso. The sash’s color automatically lets everyone know what clan the person was a member of, while the way the person wore the sash told about their position in the clan hierarchy. During a far harsher time, the Scottish sash was in fact a blanket that could be used if a person was unexpectedly caught outside. All the person had to do was untie the stash wrap themselves in it at night and they could sleep comfortably. During the day the sash was retied across the person’s chest which kept their hands free for other tasks.

Instructions

1. Find a friend to help you tie your sash. It's too complicated for you to do by yourself.

2. 

   Fold the entire sash in half.

3. Take the top of the folded end, fold it back 6 inches. Fasten a rubber band in the middle of this new fold. This will make the sash look like a bow, with a long tail.

4. Fluff the folds until your bow looks like a rosette.

5. Use your invisible pins to fasten the rosette’s half circles together.

6. Pin your brooch into the middle of the rosette so that it hides the rubber band.

7. Pin the rosette to the shoulder of your dress. Make sure one end of the sash is hanging down your back and that the other sash tail is hanging in front of your torso.

8. With your friends help, pull the two ends of the sash diagonally across your body so that they reach your hip. Fasten the two ends to your hip with safety pins. Make sure that the pins aren’t visible.