Outfit out of discarded sari----A Novel Concept

I this article for Woman's Era. on certain theme, but not sent it off for publication. i publish it here...

A few weeks ago, as I was looking at the clothes I have in my wardrobe for summer, I came across a few tired old favorites’. Items of clothing I couldn’t bear to part with (or put in the scrap fabric bag), but didn’t bear to part with any more, for one reason or another. Being perpetually miser has a way of making you more creative with what you have. One old sari in regatta color with brocade border had some moth eaten patches. One self printed suite in silver pony tone had its cap sleeves removed and its salwaar belt little bit burnt with iron and got mended. A check shirt had its full sleeves removed and a few other pieces had minor repairs (buttons sewn back on, holes patched up). I’m wearing all these clothes with pride again, just like when they were new.

Of course, there are a number of environmental benefits to revitalizing old clothes. Not only that I made a new outfit for my daughter’s birthday out of my discarded silk sari. I really liked the heavily brocade edging through, so decided to chop the edging off and used it to attach on hems and armholes of shirt of the outfit and all around the chunni that I torn out of the sari. I lined the shirt with matching cotton lining. I teamed it with silver peony legging and gifted a really unique dress on her birth day.

The colour regatta of the shirt and chunni with dominant russet and silver pony brocaded border and silver pony of the legging are more subtle combination of lighter, muted cool tones. Which really soothes the appearance and the feel good factor for the wearer.

I convey my daughter that the outfit is brand new as far as recent fashion is concerned.

The colour of the sari i.e. regatta (the main colour) and the colour russet in the border are among the colours that Pantone have launched their Fashion colour report for spring 2011.

close up of newly created bag

Leatrice Eiseman execute director of Pantone Colour Institute explains” these unique colour combinations punch up spring time wardrobes”. That’s why I teamed this sari dress with silver pony; the another colour of the cool shade.

Then only couple of days later I made the matching bag for her

I thought I’d share with you the way I made the bag.

I made this shopping bag without any proper pattern in my mind. I have no idea why I haven’t made any before as it is so simpler to make. You don’t have to fiddle about making shopping bags and trying to get them in the same place as each other.

The main body of the bag is made up with one of my discarded outfit. Luckily the colour silver pony of the discarded outfit matched with the sari outfit I presented to my daughter for her birthday. The embellishments on the shopping bag were made with sari border in russet.

going to library with her bag..

How the shopping bag invented…..

Again a couple of evenings ago, I was having a rummage in my fabric, looking for something else when I stumbled across the pieces of the same sari transformed into birthday outfit for my daughter. The remnants of sari pieces for, which I had completely forgot about, were attracted me. The main fabric of the sari was quite see through and, whilst the most fabulous colour, not really suitable for shopping bag making. Again the attraction of the brocaded border made me to chop the edging off from the remnants of sari pieces and throw the rest of the fabric out.

my daughter with her matching bag

On the whole, I don't use patterns to make my shopping or handbags, I just making the styles up as I go along. I wasn't quite sure how the shape would work out or the best way to attach the front flap of the clutch. Luckily, it was really simple to construct and worked perfectly - which makes a change for me! I used big rectangle piece along with lining to create an internal side pocket, a zip was also attached to make separate compartments of the shopping bag. A flap of brocade attached at the back side with Velcro on it and at the front centre for closure of the bag. I just rolled the fabric for making handles and stringed them through eyelets meant for the handles and it’s done.
I am really pleased with the final shopping bag that came out. I think it looks really stunning, mainly thanks to the vibrant russet and silver pony gorgeous brocade from the sari border that matches the body of the bag. In fact, it has a very little to do with me!

Make one….for you with matching outfit from your discarded sari and carry this roomy market bag just about anywhere; it’ll transport your items in style, whether you’re off the grocery store, the shopping mall, a local market, the library, or the beach.

this one above is recent photo of bag after several uses

Happy day!!