How to tie a Saree

One end is passed twice round the waist, upper border tied in a strong knot, and allowed to fall in graceful folds to the ankle, thus forming a sort of petticoat or skirt. Today in the urban and semi-urban areas of India, modes of economy and production have radically changed, but one factor that remains constant is the presence of the Saree in the life of the Indian woman. It is interesting that even women in Western countries have begun to develop some interest in Sarees for their graceful decoration of female form.

The word Saree is anglicized from 'Sadi', which existed in Prakrit language As Sadia and originated from Sanskrit 'Sati' meaning a strip of clot. Sati, occurs in the 'Mahabharata' and perhaps earlier, but the nature of this garment in those times and how it was worn, is difficult to gauge accurately. It is certain that the art was highly cultivated. There are innumerable references in ancient Indian literature to the draped garment and its style.

As far as length and woven proportions of the draped garment is concerned, it mostly depends on the cultural area and conjunction of use and varies from almost a square piece of about 125 cm. to the standard urban rectangular Saree, about 5 m. long and 120 cm. broad. With respect to the material from which these Sarees are made and their texture, these aspects vary from one handloom centre to another. As to the material of choice, cotton naturally occupies the first place: followed by mixtures of cottons and silk, rayon and their blends of cottons and lastly silk with ornamented brocading. The silk Sarees of southern India use heavy lustrous silk and broad borders and elaborate pallus, with contrasting colour combinations, which result in harmonious colour blends Kancheepuram, Tanjore and Kumbakonam, are the important centers of Tamil Nadu. Sangareddy and Dharmaswaram in Andhra Pradesh, Kolegal and Molkalmoru in Mysore, are also famous silk- weaving centers. 

Step 1: These are the "underneath" garments you need to wear before tying a Saree - a waist-to- floor length petticoat, tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring. You should not use elastic to hold the petticoat around the waist as the elastic might not bear the weight of the Saree. You have to wear an upper garment in the form of a tight fitting blouse that ends just below the bust. The blouse could be short sleeved or sleeveless. Its necklines can also be in different shapes and sizes.

Step 2: Now with your left hand hold the inside end of the Saree material .Tuck the top border of the inner end of the Saree into your petticoat starting at the navel, and complete one full turn from right to the left. Make sure that the lower end of the Saree touches the floor.

Step 3: Beginning from the tucked-in end start making pleats in the Saree, starting at the right, about 5 inches deep. Make about 7 to 10 pleats and hold them up together so that they fall straight and even. All the pleats should be at the same height off the floor.

Step 4: Tuck the pleats into the waist slightly to the left of the navel, and make sure that they are turned towards the left. Make sure the Saree is held there firmly. Tuck it in a little more if necessary and you can even use a safety pin to hold it in place.

Step 5: Drape the remaining fabric around yourself once more left to right, and bring it up under the right arm and over the left shoulder so that it falls to about the level of the knees.
Step 6: The end portion thus draped is the palled, and can be prevented from slipping off by fixing it at the shoulder to the blouse with a small safety pin.

It is a feminine prerogative to beautify her. Flowers, cosmetics, ornaments, gay colorful Clothing with these women down the ages have created stunning looks. Many a man has been charmed, dazzled, seduced, enchanted, bewitched, captivated, enraptured, and mesmerized by women who can literally use clothes, jeweler and other accompaniments as weapons. The Saree is a very unique dress. With only tucks and folds, it is worn in such a way that it sheaths the body almost completely. The demure Indian woman, covered from head to toe presents a picture of modesty. But, as women only know how to, a Saree however all encompassing, can be gently pulled and draped to hint at the alluring form underneath. It is the promise of what it enfolds which makes the Saree a bewitching garment.

Different Steps involved in tying a saree:

To wear a saree, the needed accessories along with the saree are matching blouse and petticoat. The blouse should be fit to the body. Petticoat should be threaded with elastic or with cotton tape, to tie it around the waist comfortably and it should be of ankle length.

First of all, put on a petticoat tightly around your waist and take the inner end of the saree. Starting from left side, tuck the upper edge of it into your petticoat in front and a little bit more towards right hand side by leaving the remaining saree towards left side. Check the lower edge of the saree leveled with the ground.

Now bring the loose (other) end of the saree towards your right hand side around back by tucking the upper edge of it into the petticoat till one fourth if right side.

Based on your height and taste, leave the end portion of the saree which is called 'pallu' and place it over your left shoulder. This upper boarder should slant across the bust from under the right arm to over the left shoulder. After making the pallu, a large portion of the saree is left. Turn this remaining saree into around 7 to 10 with the equal breadth starting from your left hand side.

Pleating needs both the hands, with the right hand holding the pleats and the left, supporting the forefinger at one edge and thumb pinkie at the other edge of your body. After pleating, arrange them one behind the other. The last one should be little broader than the rest. Pull them up slightly for its smooth look and tuck them a bit more towards left side. Make the lower end of the saree leveled with the ground as the gracefulness of the saree depends mainly on these pleats. Getting a fall stitched on the saree bottom ensures a better drape.

Finally you can leave the pallu on your left hand fully without folds with which you can exhibit the loveliness of your saree pallu. You can also make it stand on the shoulder itself by turning it into pleats. We can make it firm with the help of a safety pin by attaching it to your blouse.