<p>Sari, the traditional wear of Indian women, is a truly versatile garment. As six yards or more of the drape outgrow their utility for various reasons, they have been given away as heirlooms or hand-me-downs.<br /><br />The usual method of recycling old saris was mostly based on the condition and the texture of the material. While the ones in good condition would be turned into salwar suits, long skirts, blouses, frocks and scarves or even dresses for dolls, the wornout material would be used up in razais or quilts.<br /><br />The sari can lend itself to many a recycling experiment. Bring out the saris you no longer intend to use, sort them in terms of their material and try out these tips. <br /><br />*Give your windows the Victorian look by weaving a pleated chiffon sari without a pallu along the curtain rod lengthwise. Adjust the length of the sari so that it falls equally on either side and fasten it with a clothespin. Then equalise and ease out the curved portions inbetween and pin them firmly at the back. <br /><br />*You can make fancy foot rugs, telephone mats and table mats with old saris. Cut the sari length-wise into three parts. Picot the edges, place the three pieces over one another and stitch them firmly at one end. Plait them all the way till the end and stitch the plait close by placing the three pieces one over another. Coil the plait in any shape you please and glue it on a rexine sheet of the same shape.<br /><br />*Old silk saris tend to lose their weave. Neatly cut out the strong portions of the sari. Unleash your painting or embroidering skills on them before converting them into trendy scarves or knee length-skirts. <br /><br />*Convert cotton saris into little pleated skirts measuring up to eight to ten inches with open ends that can be fastened with velcro. Use them on refrigerator handles.<br /></p>
<p>Sari, the traditional wear of Indian women, is a truly versatile garment. As six yards or more of the drape outgrow their utility for various reasons, they have been given away as heirlooms or hand-me-downs.<br /><br />The usual method of recycling old saris was mostly based on the condition and the texture of the material. While the ones in good condition would be turned into salwar suits, long skirts, blouses, frocks and scarves or even dresses for dolls, the wornout material would be used up in razais or quilts.<br /><br />The sari can lend itself to many a recycling experiment. Bring out the saris you no longer intend to use, sort them in terms of their material and try out these tips. <br /><br />*Give your windows the Victorian look by weaving a pleated chiffon sari without a pallu along the curtain rod lengthwise. Adjust the length of the sari so that it falls equally on either side and fasten it with a clothespin. Then equalise and ease out the curved portions inbetween and pin them firmly at the back. <br /><br />*You can make fancy foot rugs, telephone mats and table mats with old saris. Cut the sari length-wise into three parts. Picot the edges, place the three pieces over one another and stitch them firmly at one end. Plait them all the way till the end and stitch the plait close by placing the three pieces one over another. Coil the plait in any shape you please and glue it on a rexine sheet of the same shape.<br /><br />*Old silk saris tend to lose their weave. Neatly cut out the strong portions of the sari. Unleash your painting or embroidering skills on them before converting them into trendy scarves or knee length-skirts. <br /><br />*Convert cotton saris into little pleated skirts measuring up to eight to ten inches with open ends that can be fastened with velcro. Use them on refrigerator handles.<br /></p>
