How to Make a Sari

The sari can be worn in multiple ways to express mood.

The sari, or saree, is a traditional seamless length of fabric draped and worn in a variety of ways. Primarily worn by women on the Indian sub-continent, the garment is elegant in its simplicity. Often made of intricately woven fabrics with decorative borders, the sari is uncut and unstitched. A sari is ultimately a garment not sewn but learned, and the magic is in the creative draping of which there are literally dozens of styles of draping.

Things You'll Need

• 4-9 yards sari fabric
• Choli (blouse)
• Sari petticoat
• Safety pins

Instructions

1. Select a sari fabric, a choli (blouse) and matching petticoat. The petticoat and choli can be purchased in sets, and primary colors are a good choice as they can adapt to a number of sari drapes and be more versatile. Sari fabrics come in an endless array of colors, patterns and materials. Silks are common as are cotton and rayon.

   The pallav, or decorative end of the fabric swath, is usually a section highly patterned and adorned. It is visible on the outer part of the sari when draped. The plain end is wrapped to the inside. Sari fabrics are woven specifically with the designs in place, and then simply cut to the length desired, ranging from 2 to 9 yards in length and 2 to 4 feet in width.

2. Put on the petticoat and tie it comfortably, leaving room to tuck the sari material into the waist. The choli is the blouse worn beneath the sari and usually is a midriff style that ends just below the bust.

3. Tuck the plain end of the sari into the waist of the petticoat and wrap it around the body one time. The bottom edge of the sari should reach the floor, while the top edge should be tucked completely all around the top of the petticoat.

4. Make 7 to 10 pleats at the right front side of the sari after it is wrapped once around. The pleats should be about 5 inches deep and layered one on top of another.

5. Tuck the pleats into the waist of the sari just to the right of the navel with the pleats facing the left.

6. Continue wrapping around the sari again. Tuck it the remainder of the way around the waist until you come back to the right hip.

7. Lift the bottom edge of the sari so it is like a sash. Bring the remaining Sari up and over your left shoulder, pinning it to the choli with a small safety pin to secure it from falling off.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different styles of draping. There are no fast rules when it comes to making a sari and you can even come up with a style all your own.

References

• Sari Safari: How To Drape A Sari
• Utsav: Wear A Sari