How to Make & Wear a Sari

Saris are traditionally worn by women from India and other parts of South Asia.

A sari is a piece of cloth that is wrapped around the body as outerwear. Saris are traditionally worn by women from India and other parts of South Asia, but they have become popular throughout the world. They are simple, unstitched pieces of cloth that are usually about 6 yards long and made of cotton or silk. A sari is often worn over a blouse and a petticoat. It is an alluring, fashionable and versatile piece of clothing. There are many ways to wear a sari, but the Nivi drape is one of the most common.

Things You'll Need

• 6 yards of silk or cotton
• Blouse
• Petticoat
• Safety pin

Instructions

1. Buy 6 yards of cotton or silk from a store that sells fabric. Choose any pattern or color you would like. Once you buy the fabric, you do not need to stitch or prepare the fabric in any way before wearing it.

2. Put on a blouse and a petticoat.

3. Wrap the sari around your waist one time from right to left, and tuck the top edge of the sari that is around your waist into your petticoat. Tuck as much fabric into your petticoat as you need to make the sari the desired length.

4. Make about six pleats in the front of the sari that are each about 4 inches wide. Do this by folding the fabric with your dominant hand and holding the pleats you create with your other hand. Each pleat consists of two folds: one left fold and one right fold. Think of it like you're folding a paper fan. The pleats should fall near the center of your body.

5. Tuck the pleated portion of the fabric into your petticoat, and fasten the pleats to the petticoat with a safety pin.

6. Wrap the excess fabric around your back and under your right armpit, and drape the rest over your left shoulder like a sash.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are petite, consider using only 5 yards of fabric, and if you are a plus-size woman, consider using 7 yards. However, 6 yards is suitable for most people.

• Experiment with your sari and come up with new and innovative ways to drape the fabric.

• Feel free to dye and decorate the sari fabric any way you would like.

• If desired, you can pleat the sari four or five times at the shoulder, and fasten the pleats to your blouse near the shoulder seam with a safety pin.

References

• Sari Safari: The Classic Nivi Sari Drape
• Indian Selections: India Sari Fabric Saree Dress Bellydance Wrap
• Sari: The Ever Versatile Sari