How to tie the sarong that’s so right for summer

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 13

How to tie the sarong that’s so right for summer

When you start to move into a more resort-relaxed way of dressing, summer’s inventive character emerges. The traditional sarong has, this season, made a very real place for itself as a fashion item. Although many in-season sarongs have a built-in “wrap” to eliminate any fiddle or fuss, there is also the more casual attitude of tieing your own. For the beach, for a party, for evening ... the sarong looks good with tops, T-shirts or mid-riff tops ... or, even a simple, loose cotton sweater. This week and next we will look at some of these options for the self-tied versions. Starting point ... the correct fabric. Go for a soft, soft cotton or a similar, lightweight fabric. For evening, consider a soft silk or semi-sheer fabric. The fabric you select must flow and never have any stiffness. Both plain or bold pattern designs look good, such as big tropical flowers, spaced seashells, or artistic splashes of.colour. You may even find an interesting border fabric or batik.

Paula Ryan

There are no rules, but hold the fabric up and the visual effect will be your best guide. Even try to. knot the fabric before you purchase your cloth. Fabrics of good quality look best, and the most suitably versatile width is 115 cm.

.As for length ... different tieing techniques determine the length you buy. I am going to discuss tieing methods for a 1.60 metre length this week. Next week we will look at the longer length. I have based this length on what would be suitable to fit a size 12, so, for a fuller figure, you will need to work with a piece slightly longer than this. Add scm for each size .up, i.e. ... 141.65 cm. Take your 1.6 metre width of fabric and sew a small neat seam down both 115 cm edges. Leave the selvedge edges. Now you are ready to tie. Simple as that. No-knot sarong At the waist take one end of length across your front, and hold the end firmly in your palm, leaving a little (enough for knotting) falling through your thumb and forefinger. Bring the rest behind your back, and hold at the point where they meet. Here again “grab” a handful for tieing, about 25cm from the end. Twist the two hand held pieces twice, twisting outwards away from you and tuck the end inside the skirt behind the twist. Now take the end of the trailing 25cm piece, and bring it through up over the twist to form a flapover. Classic-knot sarong Hold one end of fabric length with left hand on left waist side. Bring fabric around back across your front to meet it At that meeting point there will be approximately 25cm-30cm trailing.

Leave it and take a small section in from the end in one hand. Tie first and 2nd pieces in your hands into a firm knot. You will still have that extra piece trailing at one end after knotting. Either tuck that end up and around the side of hip, in line with top of skirt. Your legs won’t show through. If you want them to, an alternative is, as with the “no-knot” sarong ... simply . flap it under and back out over the knot as a covering for the knot flap. Double-flap sarong Hold centre of fabric length on one side of your waist (above hip). Bring one side across your front .'.. the other behind your back ... meeting at the other side of your waist. In from each end “grab” two pieces for tieing in both palms. Tie a firm but short knot. Now, from underneath pull through the short trailing ends. Bring them up behind skirts waist high gathering up cloth to allow a soft side slit. Then flap the fabric over the waist hiding the knot. When' pulling up you will find one side of each piece will create the desired draping hitch. Rose knot sarong Take both ends and wrap around waist, and tie on side of waist firmly into a knot. This looks better when falling at hip level. After tieing there will be two equal ends about 25 cm long. Working in one direction either clockwise or anti-clo.ck-wise, wrap ends around knot then tuck the ends in to form a neat rosette. A little fiddling will get your rosette looking as perfect as you like. These variations on a sarong can also be applied to above the bust to form a strapless dress or centre waist for the skirts; Centre or side knotting and twisting is a personal preference. As a skirt you can make a matching bikini top. Take a piece of fabric 115 cm long by about 30cm wide (depends on the size of your bust. Some may prefer to line this scarf piece. Simply tie in a knot at the back. A bra effect can be created by simply sliding a “scarf ring” along to the centre of the fabric. Some women may even sew in dressmaker cups for shape, between fabric and lining. Don’t use a slippery lining ... rather, line in cotton; even for silk. This will stop sliding. You can also have fun making halter-top variations with a scarf piece twice the length. ' Next week we’ll look at more ways using a 2 metre length, thus allowing for slightly more exotic methods for dresses. Footnote: Sarongs tend to look better on a good-looking body. This may be for going to the'gym.