Sarong Tutorials
These are my tutorials for wearing traditional textiles as sarongs. There are 3 categories : Uncut Fabric (and not sewn at all, just wrapped), Uncut Ready-To-Wear (sewn to individual size, but still keeps the textile's original value without cutting), and last is Ready-To-Wear (cut and sewn to individual size).
The textiles used in there videos are probably sold out but you can contact us to find out which other fabrics are available and appropriate for the style you like. You can also send us your own collection of textiles for us to sew.
Uploading my tutorials to this website is an ongoing project, to see the complete videos go to my Tiktok.
Ethnic Styling #1 Batik + Obi Belt
Now here's a more advanced way to style your batik. Uncut and unsewn, it's just a matter of wrapping, draping and tying. Then add any obi belt that suits your character best! Watch till the end and find my dirty little trick with the rubber band!!😆😆
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #2 Songket + Knit Obi Belt
Here's how to wear the "Songket" which usually heavy or thick, without having to sew or cut :
Use the Knit Obi Braid which is so versatile, one size fits all and stretches to any body shape. This must be one of my best innovations and almost all of my customers have at least a few in their favorite colors. Once you have one, you'll want the other colors, believe me.
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Ethnic Styling #3 Songket + Knit Obi Belt
And here's another way to deal with thick/heavy headweavings without cutting and sweing! Slightly different from #2, this one is a slimmer and shorter sarong-skirt look. Perfect for curvy bodies and if your sarong is too wide (so you can fold it and can adjust the total length however you want).
As usual, worn with the Knit Braid Obi Belt which is so versatile, one size fits all and stretches to any body shape. Since I always wear uncut sarongs on every special occasion, I can't live without theese obi belts in all of my favorite colors.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #4: 2 Ways to Wear A Pahikung Sumba Sarong
2 Ways to wear a Pahikung Sumba Sarong without cutting and sewing.
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Ethnic Styling #5 Pahikung Sumba Uncut Sarong Skirt
Another way to wear the Pahikung Sumba Sarong is by sewing it into a practical skirt measured to your exact size, but still looks like the traditional styled sarong. And of course this is uncut so your collectible textiles are intact.
So this is made with darts, snap buttons plus ties for extra security in case the buttons plus ties for extra security in case the buttons unsnap. Yes, when I design I always think of function. This may seem like a simple solution but a very important one for those who love traditional textiles but don't like the bulky waist when wearing thick/heavy sarongs like those from Sumba.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #6 Uncut Batik Sarong
There are sooooo many ways of wearing uncut batik sarongs. I love this particular style because the drapes are casual, and the wrap is not tight so I can still walk very comfortably.
Finish off with a Sumba infinity scarf (sorry, this one's not for sale😜) and the look will be so "naturally Indonesian" without overdoing it. This is just so me!
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #7 Uncut Tenun Buna Krawang Sarong
Tenun Buna Krawang is a handwoven textile made by the Amanatun tribe in the South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara province of eastern Indonesia. Always with bright and playful motifs, here's a fun way to style it if the length is just right.
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Ethnic Styling #8 Uncut Tenun Buna Krawang Sarong
And here's the standard ways to wear the Buna Krawang Sarong. Obi belts always helf especially for slightly large tummies like mine☺️
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Ethnic Styling #9 Songket Bali Uncut Sarong + Obi Belt
When you find that perfect handwoven sarong and don't want to cut it... yes this draped look is uncut and the original value of the textile is safely intact. And yes you can send us your own sarong and we will tailor it to your size.
This beautiful Songket is from Bali, paired with the Dahlia Kebaya and hand embroidered Mega Mendung Rectangular Obi Belt.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #10 Uncut Sarong with Dropes but without the bulky knot
First attempt to record my voice🙈🤭. No matter how uncomfortable I am speaking in front of the camera, I have to accept that it's the only way I can get peoples' attention📣. So here it is, an educational way to promote the sarong and traditional textiles to my followers around the world!
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Ethnic Styling #11 Uncut Thick Songket Pleated Maxi Skrit
Another tutorial for thick & heavy handwoven textiles, this one is using naturally dyed Songket from Lombok. This technique is uncut and perfect for textiles that are too stiff for draping.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #12 Ready-To-Wear Uncut Pleated Sarong
This is the ssewn version, so it's ready-to-wear, a lot more practical, but it's uncut too. So it's still #zerowaste and can be remade into something else in future.
This one is made of 100% cotton Balinese Endek, a type of ikat weaving which uses ATBM (a semi manual weaving machine). Although it is called a "machine", it's still operated by hand and uses no electricity so this type of textile is still considered handmade. But endek is known as more affordable than the backstrap loom handweavings such as those from Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, etc.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #13 Ready-To-Wear Uncut Draped Sarong
We often see people wrap their sarongs with a knot and drapes. Now, this is the sewn version, so it is ready-to-wear, a lot more practical, but it's uncut too. So it's still #zerowaste and can be remade into something else in future. Plus, this has no knot in the front so it makes the waist look more slim.
This one is made of 100% cotton hand drawn batik in Mega Mendung motif from Cirebon.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #14 Ready-To-Wear Uncut Folded Drape Sarong
Here's a style that I call the uncut folded drape sarong. As usual, it is a whole piece of uncut batik, but sewn with darts, additional strap to tie the sarong, and a button and loop to hook the folded drape.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #15 Uncut Draped Batik Sarong + Knit Obi Belt
My favorite way to wear a classic Javanese naturally dyed dark brown (#sogan) batik is to pair it with a body fitting black top. Whether a fitted T-Shirt or an intricately hand embroidered top like Gendis... the finishing touch is always this dark red Knit Braid Obi Belt.
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Ethnic Styling #16: 2 Ways To Wear a Beach Sarong
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Ethnic Styling #17 Uncut Pleated Diaper Pants
Want to wear batik as pants without cutting it? With pleated and folded stitching techniques, these pants fit the waist without excess fabric in the middle, creating a unique structure in the front and back. This design maintains the concept of #uncuttextiles and #zerowaste, and can be adjusted in length according to height.
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Ethnic Styling #18 Ready-To-Wear Sarong Skirt
This is the most common and simple design for a sarong skirt. Easy to wear, flexible size, and very comfortable.
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Ethnic Styling #19 Ready-To-Wear Uncut Tubular Sarong
This style is perfect for the typical beautifully handwoven textiles from East Nusa Tenggara region like this one I am wearing.
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Ethnic Styling #20 Uncut Scraft as a Short Pleated Skirt
Did you know that if you have a large scarf like this, you can wear it as a skirt? This one I'm using is an authentic naturally dyed handwoven Tenun Sumba scarf, measured 63 x 198cm. If you have larger hips than me, then you could do just 1 pleat instead of 2. Basically, each body shape has their own individual ways of wrapping and draping.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #21 Ready-To-Wear Uncut Draped Sarong
I’ve done a similar tutorial using this same design but let’s try this again with a different batik! This is a sewn version, so it is ready-to-wear, a lot more practical than wrapping and tying yourself, but it’s uncut too. So it’s still #zerowaste and can be remade into something else in the future. Plus, there’s no bulky knot on the waist.
This one is a 100% cotton hand drawn batik in natural dye from Central Java.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #22 Uncut Sarong With Hip Drapery
Here’s another styling technique that I found which was inspired by how women of India wear their sari (pleated then slipped into the waist)…. But this is my simplified version😉. And this is good for you ladies who want to accentuate your hips! My hips are large, and I like to show it! And the last time I styled my sarong like this, I got lots of compliments💃🏻💃🏻
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #23 Wrapping a Sarong With Extension Strap
For those who asked about wrapping a sarong on large bodies… finally here’s the tutorial that I promised to post! Sorry it took me so long, been busy, but I never forget my promises. I didn’t get a chance to do this on an actual plus sized model yet, but I hope you get the idea😉
And how do you like the batik I’m wearing? It’s from Jambi, Central Sumatera.
100% cotton
89x214cm
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #24 Draping a Small Sized Ikat Sarong
A super quick tutorial for a lazy day!
It’s not perfect, but very practical and comfortable❣️
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #25 Easiest Way To Wrap A Draped Sarong
Here’s the easiest way to wear your favorite batik as a sarong with drapes. Looks complicated? Try it first. See how this method does not make a bulky knot on your stomach. It is sleek, body fitting and easy peasy💃🏻. For those of you with large bodies, scroll down and check out tutorial #23 for the trick in getting this same look but with the help of an extension strap.
I am wearing the Scallop Sleeveless Kebaya from Indische and the Knit Braid Obi Belt in coral orange color.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #26 Wrapping An Oversized Beach Sarong
Still haven’t moved on from my beach time 2 weeks ago!
There are times when we gotta buy a beach sarong and get large sized ones made for tourists. See how this one can actually wrap my body up to my chest? But styling a beach sarong (usually made of 100% rayon which is thin and falls/drapes well) is easy. Just fold and tie like this and no one can tell that this was actually too large for me.
Click here to see video.
Ethnic Styling #27 Wrapping A Sarong With No Tools
No cutting & sewing, no strap, no obi belt, no safety pin, not even a rubber band🤷🏻♀️. But the result? Like a pencil skirt with natural drapes.
Yes, all you need is a little imagination, and any batik sarong can look this good without the help of any tools! The wrapping is strong enough to hold for hours even after sitting down the drapes stay in place🥰.
And don’t forget, for those of you with larger bodies, the same look can be made with the help of an extra strap. See tutorial #23 to see how to use the strap.
And if you like what I’m wearing, it’s the Bunga Lawang Ruffled Top from my Passage To Spice Island Collection. Click on the shop button to get more details. As for the batik, it’s a naturally dyed handdrawn batik (tulis) from Bayat, Central Java.
Click here to see video.