Turn a Drawstring Waist Into An Elastic Waist

Navratri officially started yesterday! Although Navratri is traditionally celebrated by 9 consecutive nights of dancing and fun, in our corner of the world, this translates to a month of celebrating mostly on the weekends.

Some of my fondest memories of Navratri are getting dressed up with my mom and sister. And this year, for the first time, I'll be getting dressed up with my daughter too! (These pictures were taken at Rakhi this year).

Indian dresses typically come with drawstring skirts. Either in the form of a petticoat for a sari, or  more typically for little girls, a skirt for a chaniya choli. Oh how I hated the drawstring waist as a child! They would itch and hurt, but we put up with it because of my mom's cautionary tales about skirts spontaneously falling off and sari's coming undone halfway through the night.

Don't let this happen to you! I was able to convert the drawstring waist on this outfit for my daughter to an elastic one! Click on through to learn how.

Drawstring Waist Into An Elastic Waist

This little toddler sari came to use from my husband's aunt. It's a 'cheater sari' meaning that the petticoat and and sari portion are already sewn together. The same method will work for any draw string skirt/ chaniya.

Note: (I realize I'm turning into my mom here!): Once the skirt has an elastic waist, you must use safety pins to hold the sari/dupatta/scarf etc in place. The elastic waist doesn't have the same 'holding power' as a drawstring waist does, and the pleats will start to fall out as soon as your little one gets moving.

 I wanted a flat front look, so I only elasticized the back. I marked on the cotton lining (not the silk sari!)  where I wanted the elastic to go.

 I hand tacked two rows of elastic to the lining only. This is 1/4 inch elastic (I feel that the thinner elastic is more comfortable).

 Then I folded over the existing waistband in front and back and hand sewed it down using matching thread while keeping the elastic taught.

That's it! The great thing is that it's easily removable, so she'll be able to wear it next year too. Here's a good shot of what the sari looks like from the side. The sari portion of the dress is attached to the skirt at the center front, and goes all the way back and over the shoulder.

She looks so grown up! For those that celebrate, I hope you have a very happy and safe Navratri/Garba this year.