On Being Crafty Me: How to Make a Western Indian Costume

I don't know how to sew a dress, I didn't even took a class on dress making, but I managed to make one using the help of youtube. After watching entries on how to make a dress, I decided to make my own Western Indian Costume. But before making, I need to have a design before starting everything. I searched through the internet on what design should I will be doing. Once I am decided of the design, I bought the materials and begin to be crafty.

Buying the Materials: 

I went to the store and buy the materials I needed. I bought the following:

1. Needle

2. 2 meter fabric (light brown) for the dress, and 1/2 meter fabric (dark brown) for the tassels

3. Candle Glue and feathers for the head dress

4. Some accessories such as lace that will be placed in my dress and garter for my hand and feet accessories

5. Pins

Our sewing machine is under repair and so I needed to sew it only using my own bare hands. So, 2 week before the event, I started doing my own western indian costume.  After buying the materials, I need a pattern for my dress. 

Pattern of the Dress:

I do not know how to make a pattern, so I used my old dress and use it as pattern. Using my old dress as a pattern, I fold it in half lengthwise so that it will be identical in both sides. Then, I draw the lines in the fabric using a pencil on where should I cut it. I add an extra of 2 inches in the edge of the fabric as a mark on where should I cut it.

Cutting the Fabric:

I cut the fabric based on the lines I've drawn.

Sewing the Fabric:

After cutting, I begin to sew the fabric using my own bare hands. This will take a long process since I am just using my hands. I turned the fabric inside out and fold at least 1 inch over on either side, and pin it so that I can follow the pins while sewing it. I begin sewing at the sides of my dress. When I am finished, I tried to wear so that I will know if it fits me. Unfortunately on my first try, It doesn't fit. So, I remove the sewn part and resew it again, this time I fold at least 1/2 inch over on either side. Once it fits me, I sew the neckline and the bottom of the dress. 

Cutting Tassels

Since it is an indian costume, I begin to cut tassels using my dark brown fabric. Cutting it easy since all I need to do is, cut the desired length of the tassel. I did not even use a tape measure on it. I cut atleast 2.5 inches of the fabric and begin to make cut it again vertically into smaller width so that it will begin to look like a tassel. I begin to make many of them for my accessories and for my dress.

Add Tassels in the Dress

Since I already have a simple dress and tassels, I begin to add tassels at the neckline and at the bottom of the dress. 

Add Laces in the Dress

After I've sewn all the tassels, I begin to add laces at the top of the tassels so that my not really good sewing will be covered by the laces. I also put laces at the sides of my dress where I sewed it. And so, my dress is now ready to wear.

Making a Head Dress

To make a head dress, I use the lace I made in the dress for uniformity. I measure the lace in my head, sew it so that it will now form a circle. Then using my candle glue, I stick the feathers at the back.

Making Accessories

I use the extra tassels, laces and garter in making accessories. I measure my hand and feet using the garter. I sew extra fabric and tassels in the garter. Then, I sew the lace so that it will look good and match my dress.

Finished Western Indian Costume

And finally, I had a finished western Indian costume. I had my dress rehearsal on the costume I had made that day.

On the Day of the Event

Since I made the dress a week before the event, I tried to make a little revisions of it. And so, on the day of the event, I looked like this:

Best Dressed Competition - Female Category (3rd place)
Since I am proud in making my own costume, I joined the Best Dressed Competition on Female Category and surprisingly, I got the third place for it. I had fun doing my dress and I am so much thankful to expose the little crafty side of me once in a while. To God be the Glory! 

ISD Family wearing all a western indian costume