Wednesday, October 17, 2012

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.

Turn a Drawstring Waist Into An Elastic Waist Tutorial by  Make it Handmade


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).
Turn a Drawstring Waist Into An Elastic Waist Tutorial by  Make it Handmade
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.


Turn a Drawstring Waist Into An Elastic Waist Tutorial by  Make it Handmade
 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.
Turn a Drawstring Waist Into An Elastic Waist Tutorial by  Make it Handmade
 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).
Turn a Drawstring Waist Into An Elastic Waist Tutorial by  Make it Handmade
 Then I folded over the existing waistband in front and back and hand sewed it down using matching thread while keeping the elastic taught.
Turn a Drawstring Waist Into An Elastic Waist Tutorial by  Make it Handmade

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.
Turn a Drawstring Waist Into An Elastic Waist Tutorial by  Make it Handmade
She looks so grown up! For those that celebrate, I hope you have a very happy and safe Navratri/Garba this year.

4 comments:

  1. i love these pictures!! so cute

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  2. Awww, she is completely adorable!! Her outfit is wonderful! So beautiful. I hear you on the tied-strings thing...in Korean culture we wear Hanbok for special occasions. Men usually have a sash that ties to keep the pants from falling down. Little kids get elastic waists, because, as soon as their little butts get moving the slippery silk fabric falls out from under the ties, and down goes there little pants. Elastic is so helpful for the diapered among us too! It is wonderful to hear about your cultural celebrations. Looking forward to you sharing more!

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    Replies
    1. I totally forgot about diapers, and I'm sure it's doubly important during potty training! I just looked up Hanbok and they are gorgeous. I would love learn a bit more about how they are tied!

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  3. Your daughter is beautiful and so is her outfit! You are such a good mommy for making her clothes easier to wear :)

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