Guide to Crafting an Indian Costume

American Indian culture captivates the interest of many, hence costumes inspired by it are often sought after. Luckily, creating an Indian-style costume is relatively easy and requires minimal sewing, if any. Whether you're drawn to South Asian Indian fashion, you can fashion a costume that pays homage to this culture. With the right materials at hand, you can assemble these costumes quickly. However, it's essential to recognize that individuals from these cultures may perceive such costumes as cultural appropriation. If you choose to wear one, strive to do so with respect.

Constructing a Neckline from a Tan or Brown Pillowcase: Using scissors, cut out a half-moon shape from the folded edge of a pillowcase. Ensure it's wide enough for the wearer's head to fit through.

• Flatly lay the pillowcase and outline the desired shape with a pencil before cutting. Ensure the half-moon is centered along the edge.
• For children, the half-moon should measure approximately 6 inches (15 cm) long by 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall. For adults or older children, measure the wearer's neck width to determine the necessary length.
• A round object, such as a plate, can be used to trace the half-moon shape.
• Have the wearer try on the pillowcase. If the neckline is too tight, enlarge it slightly and try again.
• To save time, consider using a tan or brown t-shirt instead of a pillowcase. This eliminates the need for creating necklines and armholes, although you'll need to remove the sleeves before proceeding.

Establish Arm Openings: Cut two additional half-moon shapes on either side of your pillowcase, close to the folded top of the fabric. Ensure these openings are spacious enough for the wearer's arms to pass through.

• Position the armholes evenly, approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) down from the top edge of the pillowcase.
• For younger children, the half-moon shapes should measure around 3 inches (7.5 cm) in length and 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) in width. For older children or adults, gauge the width of the upper arm to determine the necessary length.
• Instruct the wearer to don the pillowcase. If their arms don't fit through the openings, enlarge them accordingly.

Add Fringe to the Costume: Create 1.5-inch (3.8-cm) slits along both armholes to fashion fringe. Ensure the slits are spaced approximately 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) apart for optimal results. Continue this process around both armholes to achieve complete fringe coverage.

• You may also opt to affix small strips of pre-made fringe around the armholes.

Adjust the Length of the Costume: While a pillowcase tunic should be of adequate length for older children and adults, it may be excessively long for younger children. Have the child try on the costume to determine if any trimming is necessary.

• If the pillowcase extends below mid-calf, trim it with scissors to prevent tripping hazards.

Create Hem Fringe: Generate 3-inch (7.5-cm) slits along the entire open bottom of the pillowcase to craft fringe. It's advisable to lay the pillowcase flat during this process rather than attempting to hold it upright. Utilize sharp scissors and maintain a spacing of around 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) between each slit.

• Ensure the slits encompass the entirety of the pillowcase's open bottom to achieve fringe coverage along the entire hem of the tunic.

Adorn the Neckline with Fringe: Employ fabric glue to affix pre-made or homemade fringe around the neckline. Homemade fringe can be crafted from a 2-inch (5-cm) wide strip of spare pillowcase fabric or brown felt. Cut the store-bought fringe or homemade strip into a half-moon shape matching the neckline's length. If creating homemade fringe, slice 1.5-inch (3.8-cm) slits along the strip, maintaining a spacing of 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) between each slit.

• Attach the fringe by applying fabric glue to the unfringed portion of the fabric strip, ensuring the fringes cascade downward and away from the neck rather than upward and over it.

Add Personalized Embellishments: Enhance the tunic by adorning it with colorful triangles along the open hem. Cut craft sponges into 2-inch (5-cm) tall triangles, maintaining rough or jagged edges. Dip these triangles into fabric paint, choosing vibrant shades like red, orange, yellow, and green. Apply the painted triangles to the tunic in a pattern of your preference.

• For a simplistic touch, decorate the open edge of the pillowcase with a line of inverted triangles, positioning them approximately 4 inches (10 cm) from the edge and spacing them around 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart.
• To introduce more vibrancy, add a row of upright triangles above the initial row of inverted ones. Utilize a different color of paint and a separate triangle-shaped sponge for this row, ensuring each upright triangle sits between two inverted ones.
• Whichever pattern you select, replicate it on both sides of the pillowcase. Ensure the first side is dry before proceeding to decorate the second side.

Select Suitable Khaki Pants: Opt for an old pair of tan khaki pants that closely match the color of the tunic's pillowcase. The pants should fit snugly rather than being overly loose. While slightly loose pants can suffice if they fit well, pants with a slim fit that can be easily slipped on and off are preferable.

• If desired, you can alter the pants' fit by having the wearer try them on and pinning them to the desired tightness. After turning the pants inside out, sew along the pinned line, trim off excess fabric, and then reverse the pants to their correct orientation.

Fashion Side Fringe: Cut two lengthy strips of canvas, felt, or another sturdy fabric in a hue closely matching that of the pants. These strips should extend from the waist to the hem of each pant leg. To create fringe, slice 1-inch (2.5-cm) slits along one edge of each strip, maintaining a spacing of approximately 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) between slits.

• Ensure the strips are around 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide.
• If time is limited, consider using pre-made fringe from a store.

Attach Fringe to the Pants: Utilize fabric glue or needle and thread to affix the fringe strips along the sides of both pant legs. For durability, sewing is recommended if you intend for the pants to be worn multiple times.

• Apply glue or stitches along the 1/2-inch (1.25-cm) wide section of the strip lacking fringe, positioning it over the side seam of each pant leg.
• If you prefer a skirt, attach fringe along the hem of a brown or tan skirt instead.

Opt for Brown Footwear: Choose brown flats or boots to complement your attire. While moccasins are ideal, simple brown slip-on shoes or basic suede boots with a flat sole will also suffice. Consider fur-lined or fringed boots to add a touch of style to your costume.

• If you're not anticipating muddy terrain, moccasin-style slippers are a viable option.
• Plain brown sandals can also work well, provided they lack excessive embellishments.

Craft a Feathered Headband: Begin with a brown fabric headband that wraps around the head. Use a hot glue gun to affix one to three feathers to the inner side of the headband, positioning them behind the ear.

• If a wrap-around headband isn't available, fashion one from stretchy brown fabric, ensuring it's long enough to encircle the wearer's head with an additional 1-inch (2.5-cm) length for securing. Attach the ends with fabric or hot glue.
• To add flair, embellish the headband with wooden or colorful seed beads, or craft paint.

Incorporate a Belt, if Desired: To impart additional contour to the tunic, cinch it with a braided leather sash around the waist. Alternatively, fashion a belt from brown leather, canvas, or rope, ensuring it's long enough to tie into a loose bow at the front of the costume.

• A fringed leather belt can further enhance the aesthetic appeal of your ensemble.

Prepare an Undershirt for the Sari: Cut out the neckline from a basic white or light-colored t-shirt using sharp scissors. Trim the shirt so it ends at the wearer’s waist.

• To add a touch of elegance, use gem glue to affix decorative craft gems to the neckline and bottom hem of the shirt.

Procure Fabric for the Sari: While a sari is traditionally a draped cloth worn by Indian women, you can fashion your own using fabric. Opt for inexpensive acetate commonly used as garment lining. For a child's costume, cut the fabric to 30 inches wide and 3 yards long. For adults, select fabric that's 45 inches wide and 6 yards long.

• Opt for vibrant hues such as emerald, ruby, or sapphire for an eye-catching sari.

Wrap the Sari: Simplify the sari wrapping process by pairing your cropped top with leggings or stretchy bike shorts in a neutral tone. Begin by tucking one end of the fabric into the back of your leggings. Create pleats and tuck the fabric sections into the waistband, working your way around your waist. Allow the excess fabric to drape over your shoulder, folding it from back to front.

• Ensure the hemline covers your feet but rests above the floor when tucked into the waistband.
• Aim for 7 to 10 neatly arranged pleats, pointing to your left side.
• The remaining fabric draped over you should fall somewhere between knee-length and floor-length.
• To prevent the sari from slipping, secure it with pins if necessary.
• Accessorize your sari with gold or silver bangle bracelets, hoop earrings, and flat sandals.

• If you're finding it challenging to begin with a full sari, consider starting with a half sari instead. It's much easier to wear and manage.

• Always show respect when donning attire inspired by other cultures. Wear such costumes to pay homage to these cultures rather than to ridicule or disrespect them. Additionally, understand that regardless of your intentions, wearing costumes from other cultures may offend individuals belonging to those cultures.

• Tan pillowcase
• Scissors
• Khaki or tan pants
• Felt, canvas, or fringe trim
• Slippers
• Wrap-around headband
• Craft feathers
• Hot glue
• Fabric glue
• Sponge
• Fabric paint
• Brown sash-style belt
• Long rectangle of fabric