When you need a gorgeous evening wrap at the last minute, just pull out a couple yards of 60-inch-wide fabric and two tassels and stitch up the solution.
Wrinkles in wraps are good. For the best results, choose stiff fabrics such as satin, taffeta, and organza in synthetic fibers.
1. Fold the 2-yard length of fabric.
With the right sides together and the selvages aligned, pin the seam, and sew a tube with a 3/4-inch-wide seam allowance. Press the seam allowances open. Turn the tube right-side out, gather up each end separately, and tie them with string or cord.
2. Twist the tube ends
Clamp one end of the tube, or have a friend hold it firmly. Twist the other end. Keep twisting until the tube winds into a rope that knots back onto itself. Once it is knotted and twisted as much as possible, tie the ends together with more cord.
3. Start cooking
Put the knotted fabric in a vegetable steamer. Cover and steam it for 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Remove the fabric from the steamer
Set the steamed fabric aside, and allow it to cool and dry. Then remove the cords, and unwind the twisted fabric. If there are wet spots on the fabric, dry them now with a hair dryer, and fluff out the tube.
5. Hand-stitch around the tube ends
With buttonhole or carpet thread and large-eyed needle, make a row of running stitches about 3/4 inch above the tube’s raw edge. Pull the thread end like a drawstring, and tuck the raw edges into the tube as the fabric gathers. Insert the tassel cord into the drawn-up tube, and sew the tassel to the wrap securely. Repeat on the other end to finish the wrap.
This article by Kenneth D. King was first published in Threads #137, June/July 2008.
Model photo: Jack Deutsch, hair and makeup: Christy McCabe using tarte cosmetics, stylist: Jessica Saal; other photos: Kenneth D. King.
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