I realize I'm squeezing this in on the very last day but of all the many colored saris I possess, the one shade I don't have is purple. Just the purple border and accents on this pink one from March is the closest thing. Although coincidently, next month will be the grand finale for Sari Style. My final and finest wedding sari is conviently a "neutral color" for August. In addition, I have the Boy's traditional outfit- so a little extra something as well.
So I was thinking what more can one do with these besides gazing at them, specifically in a craftier vein. Obviously, the sari's I've been sharing have tremendous sentimental value and I wouldn't dream of cutting them up but there our so many beautiful saris to be had for a pittance for that very purpose.
You can make some great looking pillow covers like these. Or fashion a whole bed set- like this one on Craftster
Even simpler, draping saris as curtains is very effective- like here.
They also make really neat looking fabrics for remaking into western-style clothing. If you possess more sewing talent than I, you can do this yourself or check out this really cool site. Who's sari now? I particularly love this Gypsy Skirt.
So why not go out and find your local asian market and browse through all the textiles? This site - www.eknazar.com has tons of local listings for different areas. In Dallas, there are over 60 apparel yellow page listings. Of course, there's also always eBay, which has lots of inexpensive options too.
With all this sari talk, that of course brings me to the lovely recycled sari yarn.
I was lucky enough to procure this from Cookie's stash sale after much coveting of said yarn. I love this yarn. I love the idea behind it, the ingenuity and good cause, love the randomness and vivid colors. If you haven't seen this yarn in person yet I encourage you to pick up a skein- it's way cooler looking than the photos. I've had to restrain myself with my self-imposed binds of project limiting on this. I have bag idea in a starburst pattern all worked out in my head and rearin' to go.
In another, somewhat, related topic- I finally got to recoloring my henna inspired bleach design shoes.
They're better, at least close enough for me to be happy. Fabric paint pens are what I first checked out but they all seemed to be in really vivid reds that I was wary I wouldn't be able to blend to a more subtler shade. Next I compared some different fabric dyes and ended up with good ol' RIT dye as the most versatile. I just mixed up a little bit and painted it on with a regular paintbrush until it reached the closet shade I could get. Viola!
ETA: I forgot that I uploaded a scan of my dorky doodles for these bleach shoes for anyone who's intrested in making a pair. What I ended up doing is a more simplified version then the sketches but it could serve as a jumping off point. Click the image for the full-size version.
Your saris are cute - and you are so right about how the lustre of the recycled yarn doesn't come in the photo. I have tried to photograph it, but it never really shows how glorious the yarn is.
Your shoes are super cute! I think the orange and black work together for a really interesting contrast.
those saris are exquisit. my bf traveled to india last winter and brought me home a teal pashmina with gold threaded emproidery. the handiwork is simply breathtaking. i have just the one pashmina and then a deep green sari that matches a dress he also brought home. this alone made me feel like a princess...i couldnt imagine having one in every color!
Saris are so beautiful and feminine. I have always wondered if they are comfortable to wear. They look like it.
Very pretty! Your shoes turned out great, too!!
It's all too pretty!
I agree with you that saris we own have sentimental value, especially wedding saris - I treasure mine and keep it in the closet, and have a look at it from time to time, and feel the silk, but I wouldn't cut it!...
Unfortunately we don't have many Asian shops with clothing in Poland and I have to buy my saris on-line from www.homeindia.com.
I just procured 10 skeins of sari silk off Ebay- I love this yarn for the same reasons! Is there a possiblility you will be sharing your pattern for it?
Thanks everyone for the nice comments! And yep, the sari purse pattern will eventually be available on the site also.
I can't wait to see what you use the sari yarn for...I have 2 skeins of it just waiting for the perfect project, and the few I've seen online (1 shoulder wrap and a purse or two) just aren't special enough.
p.s. love the shoes too...I think I have a pair in my closet...hmm...