The Sari
Here’s a photo of Teresa, my daughter, wearing my birthday present…a sari from India. Aysha kindly brought it back and it’s so exciting to have one. I think the sari is one of the most beautiful clothing ideas ever. It’s especially so for weavers as it is simply a long length of uncut cloth (about 6 metres, sometimes more). On this uncut cloth we can exercise all our most intricate woven and embroidery textile techniques unimpeded by cutting and seaming.
I’ve always been puzzled and dazzled by how the sari is draped on the body. As most scarfy textiles repeatedly fall off mine, I imagined some supremely genetically advanced body system in those who wear them so gracefully. Perhaps they have ‘squarer’ shoulders or more adhesive skin or something. Luckily after all these misplaced thoughts, Aysha has enlightened me. You can use safety pins! and some fabrics are easier than others.
But having said this it seems that draping a sari is still a very skillful achievement, and it helps if you learn from those around you. I’ve no chance.
