How to Make a Sarong Skirt

A woman in a sarong

Worn by men and women throughout Africa and parts of Asia, a sarong is a long sheet of fabric that is fashioned into a kilt or skirt. Making your own sarong skirt at home only requires a few basic materials and is a simple project for even the beginner seamstress. A sarong can be used as an attractive cover-up to wear over a bathing suit or with a sparkly tank top for a nighttime luau.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric, 1 yard by 2-1/2 yards
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Large decorative brooch

Instructions

1. Choose a length of lightweight fabric such as silk, seersucker, linen, hemp or cotton. You can go for a bright, bold color or pattern or a delicate and feminine floral print.

2. Hem the fabric by folding approximately 1/4 of an inch of the fabric inward around the entire length of fabric. Use a threaded sewing machine to keep the hem straight and sew along all of the folded edges. This keeps the ends of the sarong from fraying.

3. Hold the fabric behind your back as you pull on each end. Place the center of the fabric against your lower back.

4. Pull one end of the length of fabric, such as the end in your right hand, around the front of your body. Hold it snugly in place at your hip.

5. Wrap the other end of the fabric around your body in the opposite direction, wrapping more than once if necessary. Make sure the end finally rests at the same side of your body as the other end of the fabric, which is now tucked beneath the rolled layers.

6. Tuck the end of the fabric between your hip and the wrapped layers.

7. Attach a large brooch at your hip to keep the layers in place.