Instead of doing this:

Try this:

Take wider pleats when draping with an organza saree as narrow pleats will open up/won’t hold. Ironing down narrow pleats is one way to make them stay put but you may not want that look with an organza saree.

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La Vie en Rose Saree

The KEY is to make sure that once you’re done stacking your pleats, you bring together the top and pin it so that the pleats are still flared and more open at the bottom - this still gives you the illusion of flared pleats even though it’s all neat and pressed down.

Ironing down your front pleats allows you to get away with narrower pleats than usual! Narrow pleats = more pleats!

Quick and easy pallu pleats: ensure the outside edge is facing outwards with the inside of the saree facing you. Pleat the saree back and forth until you reach the other end. The last pleat should have the other outside edge facing inwards with the outside of the saree facing you.

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Dusty Rose Leeanna Blouse

Dusty Rose Saree Silhouette™

Once you've staggered your pleats, tuck them into your Saree Silhouette to the right of your belly button. This way they'll be nice and centered.

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Vino Leeanna Blouse

Vino Saree Silhouette™

 Slightly stagger your pleats for the perfect flare at the bottom of your drape!

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The Debonair Saree - Noir

Black Birthday Crop

Black Saree Silhouette™

How to secure your front pleats + hip pleats: Pin your front pleats together and to your Saree Silhouette. Reach through the space behind your front pleats, grab the extra fabric from your left hip, pull it through, twist, pin and tuck it in. It’s never been easier. 

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Orchid Off One Shoulder Luxe Blouse

Orchid Saree Silhouette™

A quick tip for perfect hip pleats: Pull the saree tight, pin it to your right thigh, then pinch, pull, and tuck it into your waistband. So easy, even a beginner can do it!

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Sapphire Luxe Saree

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Saree Silhouette™

Saree School Lesson 29 - How to hang a prepped Saree

Once you’ve pleated and prepped your saree, hang it on a hanger to minimize the ironing you’ll have to do on the day of the event ❤️ You could also do it this way for travel (and fold in half with the hanger) so you can hang in the hotel closet as soon as you get to your destination.

Step #1:

With pallu and chest pleats already prepped, lay the saree down flat with the inside of the saree facing up.

Step #2:

For the unpleated portion of the saree, do accordion pleats to create a straight edge.

Step #3: Line up the pallu with the accordion pleats you just created. 

Step #4: With the outside of the saree facing up, carefully fold and tuck the chest pleats in so that nothing sticks out on the sides. 

Step #5: Feed the saree onto a hanger and there you have it!

Saree School Lesson 28 - How to pack a prepped saree for Travel

Traveling with your pleated saree? This folding method lets it fit into a carry on. This is also how you would fold a saree to look pretty on the koorai tray!

Step #1:

With pallu and chest pleats already prepped, lay the saree down flat with the inside of the saree facing up.

Step #2:

For the unpleated portion of the saree, do accordion pleats to create a straight edge.

Step #3:

Fold the chest pleats over the accordion pleats with the inside facing up.

Step #4:

Fold the fabric in, ensuring nothing sticks out on the sides.

Step #5:

Wrap the chest pleats and pallu around the folded saree until it's neatly folded.

Step #6:

And there you have it - a perfectly folded, prepped saree!

Check out a full length tutorial on Youtube!

Saree School Lesson 27 - Perfect Chest Pleats

When it comes to those regal pleats, I’m a firm believer in ironing Kanchipuram silks for that structured look.

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The Aura Blouse