Mirror Mirror: How to Drape a Tulle Saree?

Tulle saree by Tarun Tahiliani

Hi Asiya,
I love your blog, and read it quite often to get ideas. I am a makeup artist in the Phoenix area and mainly cater to Indian and Pakistani brides. I have a really random question and actually need a little bit of help. I'm going to a wedding in Colorado in the beginning of April to do makeup, but have also been invited to the wedding and reception. My fiance bought me a beautiful ombre coral/salmon colored saree to wear. My issue is it's all tulle and I don't know what the best way to drape it is, mind you this is the first time I'm wearing one. I'm only 5'2" so I want to look as slim as possible and definitely not bulky. I've attached a picture so you get an idea of what I'm talking about. I've been on the internet for hours trying to figure out what the best way to drape a tulle saree, and I can't find anything! Help!

Thanks!
A
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Hi A,
Thanks so much for getting in touch, I haven't missed the wedding, have I?

Asiya
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The wedding is on Friday and Saturday but ill be leaving town Thursday morning. :)

Thanks,
A
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Hi A,
For tulle dupattas, I have recommended a hand soak in fabric softener, but i'm a little hesitant considering the amount of fabric in a saree. Is the tulle really stiff? Have you had a practice run trying it on? What material is the petticoat?

Asiya
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Hi Asiya,
Thank you for replying! The tulle isn't very stiff, it falls nicely because the border I believe weighs it down. I just wanted to make sure I am draping it correctly for the type of material. My petticoat I had my mom make, it's a peachy satin-like fabric with a draw string. I thought of making one out of cotton, but I'm pretty sure with satin it's less likely to bulk up underneath and poof out.
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Hi A,

Sorry for this eleventh hour response.  You are right* about no answers.  Most people I know just said that all sarees should be wrapped the same no matter what the fabric.  But here's what I managed to come up with: drape the saree to get an idea where the pleats will stitch, untuck them and pin them, then using a few whip stitches, you can use thread to sew them together (this is optional, but I always do it because I'm a complete klutz and looking like your gut is falling out is not a good look).

If you have a steamer (if you're staying at a hotel you can get one from the concierge desk), steam the pleats so they sit flat.  I also sometimes use the steam function on an iron and hover it over the fabric while pressing the button, but you need a steady hand for this.

As for the drape style, I like this look.  The video is crap quality but the style is really good because if you see how she takes the pallu at the end and brings it around to the front, holding it taut and pinning it down, this will basically hold down the fabric of the saree where it might puff up.  Also, this might be a little risque, but I like the belly of this saree drape.  They've put it slightly lower around her stomach, which makes it curvier and sit tighter on her hips, another place where the fabric may puff up. Actually, if you wear it in the mermaid style from the first video, it'll be hidden anyway.

Asiya

*this was a typo with a long story that I've corrected so you can follow the flow of this story.

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Update: She got a friend of the bride to wrap her saree in the usual drape on the wedding day, and it was pinned with one pin at the shoulder.  The whole thing stayed together perfectly and she danced the night away.  So in the end, all you need is someone who actually knows what they are doing.