I was going to save this post for next month’s ScrapHappy, but I just couldn’t wait four weeks to share it.
Many many years ago I was invited to a wedding. I and the friend who I was going with had form in terms of making and wearing outfits for various events, but we were both feeling a bit lazy and decided that we would buy something to wear rather than do the sewing ourselves. We discussed what to do and finally settled on a trip to The Bombay Stores in Bradford… I would buy a saree and she would buy an Indian suit. Off we went with my mum and had a wonderful time choosing our outfits. I think hers was really vibrant, whilst mine was lilac and gold. And then… we were asked to be the bridesmaids.
Our Indian outfits were put to one side and we ended up wearing deep purple velvet dresses. That could be the start of a ScrapHappy post in itself, as Mr Snail has a waistcoat made from my dress – I may even have the remaining scraps somewhere. But that’s not what this post is about… this post is about that saree, which I have had ever since but never found the opportunity to wear. I came across it when I was sorting out my work room and decided that its time had come.
Spending a lot of time at home this year, I have increasingly become aware that some parts of the house are tattier than others, and that some revamping is in order. During our latest lockdown I decided to tackle the bathroom. Really the whole bathroom suite needs replacing, but that will have to wait. However, I had already bought some paint to spruce things up a bit and so I was able to improve the walls quite quickly. Obviously the curtains had to come down and once they had I knew that they weren’t going back up again as they had suffered over the years and faded in stripes. Interestingly, the linings had survived perfectly, although the rufflette tape was disintegrating. I dismantled them, retained the lining and bought some more tape… and then I took a deep breath and set to with my scissors and that saree.
Fortunately the width of the saree was perfect for the drop of the curtains so no top or bottom hems were required, and I only had to shorten the lining a little. I put the wider border at the top, where it conceals the stitching and provides additional strength. I did iron the fabric, but because it had been folded in pleats for more than 25 years it’s going to take a while longer for the creases to disappear completely. I’m rather pleased with the outcome – what do you think?
Oh, and I still have a couple of metres or saree left to do something else with.
The Snail of Happiness 
Wild Daffodil
/ November 18, 2020Wow! Beautiful!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 18, 2020They actually turned out better than I had hoped
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Nice Piece of Work
/ November 18, 2020Works perfectly 🙂
I have a purple and turquoise sari that I’ve worn a couple of times, but it’s not easy getting the wrapping just right and I ended up using a zillion safety pins so I wouldn’t unravel in public…
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 18, 2020At the time I bought it, my father’s secretary was from Sri Lanka and she promised to ensure that I was in it securely before I ventured out!
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Going Batty in Wales
/ November 18, 2020They are a triumph Jan! I can’t wait to see them in situ. I keep casting envious eyes over my daughter-in-law’s sari collection – she has a LOT! Mayne I will ask her to dress me up in one so I know how it is done and see if she will take the hint!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 18, 2020I’m sure she’d love dressing you up… a fun activity once you can safely interact again, perhaps. And maybe she has a few cast-offs that she would let you have to play with – they truly are glorious things.
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Laurie Graves
/ November 18, 2020Now that is snazzy! I can see why you couldn’t wait for four weeks.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 18, 2020I’m just a show-off!
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katechiconi
/ November 18, 2020Ooer, what extremely opulent bathroom curtains it made! Gloriously glamorous. That was a real inspiration. I do think you need to ensure that any additional things you make from the fabric are visible; cover a lidded box or canister, make a toiletries bag lined with plastic, line a laundry hamper, well, you get the idea. That stuff’s too pretty not to co-ordinate with!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 18, 2020The end piece has much more gold in it, so I need to have a think about how best to show it off.
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craftycreeky
/ November 18, 2020I’ve made a few dresses from silk saris I’ve bought secondhand on ebay. Used to love going to Bombay Stores, haven’t been for a while.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 18, 2020I’ve been enjoying browsing their web site, but it’s not the same as going to the shop
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anne54
/ November 18, 2020How delightfully exotic! It must make you and Mr Snail smile every time you use the bathroom.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 18, 2020It’s so unusual for us to have anything like this, but I do rather love the look
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cedar51
/ November 20, 2020it definitely gives the window, the bathroom and those who use said room, a great vibe…
I’m curious what is that “semi decorative ?wooden object” to the R of the curtains on the other wall…I could kind of see what looked like a cord but ?????
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 20, 2020It’s the pull cord for a heater; the wooden grip has some feathers and beads attached.
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quietwatercraft
/ November 24, 2020That’s so beautiful! All curtains should be made from sarees.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 24, 2020I really am so please with the way they turned out, especially after the fabric had been hidden away for so long
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Linne
/ December 5, 2020I think those curtains are a huge success! I especially love the sort of glisten they have; must be gorgeous when the sun shines. Thanks for mentioning that the Bombay Stores are online; I never went in to Bradford to explore when I was living in Heaton, so wasn’t aware of them. I’ll go have a look . . . Glad you are doing well . . .
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Nikki
/ September 24, 2021Another inspired transformation – just fabulous!!! My second thought was, you’ve done a Scarlett O’Hara in reverse : )
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The Snail of Happiness
/ September 26, 2021Oh yes, so I have… it hadn’t dawned on me
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