Stop, it's Sari time - J.E. Murphy

After work, Heer and I went to pick up the Saris! There was so much traffic that we walked for a half an hour instead of taking a rickshaw – it was faster. Once I arrived I gave them the new measurements of Mom and Amelia and agreed that tomorrow by 7 pm they would be ready. I also purchased Mom some great fabric – attached picture.

I was so excited to learn how to wear a Sari! I knew it was going to be difficult, but BOY was it hard. You have to have sturdy hands and strong fingers. You must start by wearing the blouse and petticoat – the petticoat starting right below the belly button tied very tightly (the tighter the strong the sari will hold).

You then start on the right side and tuck a half inch of the Sari in the petticoat and continue around the entire body once. Keep tucking until you reach 2 inches from the belly button – then stop tucking. Pull the Sari fabric up and move until you hit the train (you will tell when you hit the train). Then tuck the area right before the train in 2 inches from the other side of the belly button.

Now this is the part that sets apart good Sari dresses from the rest: the folding. You start on the left 2 inch from the belly button. Hold the excess fabric between your pinky and thumb, loop it around your pointer and middle finger. Continue to do this until the excess fabric is fully folded (easier said than done). You must then TUCK the folded fabric into the petticoat. If the folds in the front touch the ground, pull out the newly tucked fabric and start again. A good fold will last all day.

You then take the train and wrap it around the side of your body – making sure it is tight and not twisted or folded. You want to start at where a love handle is, or if you’re lucky should lie. Then slowly creep up the back so when you come to the front the train it’s the left shoulder strap. You can either pin the train to the sari or leave it. Nicely fold the train over your arm – and you’re done!

Just kidding! You have to wear heels with a sari and learn how to walk in one. I know, ridiculous, and I really thought they were kidding with this once, but it is true. You must take small, slow steps that do not make the thighs rub or cross the legs. If you do make a step to wide or fast, the folds will come undone and you will show your petticoat (a floor length skirt) but still not fun. You can however pin the folds so they don’t come out, but you risk tearing the fabric.

And boy, don’t saris look great on everyone! Attached are photos of my complete Sari and Mom’s Sari with my makeshift blouse until tomorrow. More, and better photos, are still to come.