Curious Designs How To Tie A Sarong

What is a sarong you may have asked? Well, a sarong is a traditional form of dress used by men, women and children in most parts South East Asia and is commonly considered their most important article of clothing. Typically it's a simple 3 by 5 foot, rectangular piece of fringed fabric. Similar variations are used all over the world. On the island of Bali, in Indonesia where our sarongs are made, you must be wearing one to participate in many religious and community functions.

Aside from being worn as a skirt, sarongs are functional in other ways, from carrying babies to wall decor, curtains, scarves, head wraps to bird cage covers! Sarongs are a must have! How did we Westerners get by without them?

Sarongs can be hand-woven but are most commonly made by batiking cotton, rayon or silk. Batik is an ancient process of dying fabric, using a wax resist method. Areas of material are covered with the dye resistant substance; to prevent the absorption of the dye. The wax is than melted and applied to the fabric by hand, either drawing the image using a chanting tool or with a copper stamp called a chop. The fabric is dyed and put into boiling water to remove the wax, revealing the image underneath. This process also sets the dyes, making most qualities of sarongs and batiked clothing color fast and fade resistant.

We work directly with the batikers and tailors who make our sarongs and many of our designs are exclusive to Curious Designs. We know you'll enjoy your sarong for many years and discover many other useful ways to use it. Below we will show you the three most popular ways to tie a sarong complete with instructions!

Step 1: Grasp sarong by the end on the right side and about a foot in on the left side and make a small bunch (will vary depending on your waist size)
Step 2: Tie the right corner to the left "bunched" portion and make a knot
Step 3: Grab the very end of the left side and tuck it back up under the knot
Step 4: Pull the triangular piece you just tucked under the knot up and out from behind the sarong
Step 5: Adjust a little so fringe hangs properly on both triangular piece and the sarong's side - VOILA, you have a sarong!

Step 1: Grasp sarong by the end on both sides and tuck all the way under your armpits
Step 2: Fold fringed end over about a foot back onto itself. Do this for both sides.
Step 3: Grab the two new ends that you have created by making two small bunches
Step 4: Tie the two bunches togeter in a knot
Step 5: Adjust so fringe hangs in a cascading pattern in the front. (as shown in photo) - Makes a great sarong dress!

Step 1: Drape sarong over your shoulders like a cape.
Step 2: Tie fringed end pieces together on the same side in a knot.
Step 3: Do the same on the other side. This will form two sleeves.
Step 4: Wear as a swimsuit cover-up, a cape, a shawl, or a short jacket!

Here are some great ideas on how to use and tie our scarves!