Click here for a printable pdf of the hand drawn instruction sheet.
Elegant Close Fitting Sun Dress -- With straps in the front cross straps flat across chest (this style determines correct fit. Slit in dress front should just meet - not cross over more than 1/2\" or leave an opening). Taking straps over your shoulders to loops diagonally opposite on back panel. slip end of straps through loop and tie a single knot and tuck extra inside dress. Put a broach or pin at the top of the slit where bodice crosses to keep the front closed.
Casual Sun Dress & Quick Cover-up --
With straps in front tie a double knot. Straps can then be tied around back of your neck or over your shoulders into the two loops on back panel or hang loose in front for a strapless sun dress. You can pin the slit closed with a hidden pin inside or a pretty pin on the outside since the knot may cause it to open slightly.
Grecian Style
Place the wide part of bodice panel under your arm, folding the loops to the inside since you won\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t use them in this style. Bring the strap from the back over your shoulder and tie in a square knot in front. The knot shoud be tied and placed in the hollow of your arm, right where the bodice and skirt join. The slit in the dress will pull up close under your arm. If there is slack across the front, untie the knot then twist the front strap towards your body to pull the bodice closer and then re-tie.
Jumper or Loose Sun Dress
--Put the wide part of bodice in front, cross the straps flat or tie them in a single knot in back. Bring straps over your shoulders and through loops in front. Tie in a single knot and tuck remaining length of straps inside bodice. Can be belted and/or worn with open jacket or over a blouse or turtle neck for a more traditional jumper look.
Strapless
Put wide part of bodice in front and cross straps flat in back. Bring straps around under the arms to the front and either the over the bust or tie at the waist. Hot Tip: I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ve found this style works well only on body shapes with enough bust to keep the bodice from slipping down
50\\\\\\\'S Look
Put wide part of bodice in front - cross straps flat over each other at back. Bring straps under arms, through the loops and tie around behind your neck. Thes style can be belted or left loose. NOTE: There may not be enough length in straps in the very large sizes.
Loose Coverup
Take the straps and either twist toward the body or gather to tie behind the neck. The slit becomes a V neckline and the wide part of the bodice drapes for a lower view in the back. This style can be left to hang loose or belted to accentuate the waistline. Skirt will be full and the hemline will be hiked up high in the front.
Shown in Rayon fabric, Hand Dyed Color: Dark Seafoam
Long and Sleek --
With wide panel to one side, lay straps over each other on the side and knot ties on opposite side at the waist. Roll top of the wide panelover to hide knotted ties. This gives more of a dressy look with a sash hanging down on the skirt. Can be worn with a decorative belt to cover the roll at the waist.
Swimsuit Cover--
UpLayered over tights or second skirt. Same as #9 but instead of leaving straps hanging free, slip one strap in through slit below knot, feeding it to the inside of the skirt. Reach under the skirt and pull inside strap to curved section of hem line and hike the skirt up as high as you wish and tie up with strap left outside at the waistline. You may want to slightly turn the skirt so that hiked-up section is directly over your exposed knee to allow ease of movement. This shift at the waist slims the view at the waistline. If you like the full draped look, and the hem line is hiked all the way up, pin the curve of the hemline together so it doesn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t fly open.
Straight Yoke Skirt
Put wide panel in front, fold under about 1/3 of the top of the wide panel. Cross straps over each other in the back. Twist the straps over each other in the back. Twist the straps towards your waist to create a rope belt look as you bring them back around and tie in front. You can leave the knot exposed in front or roll the top of the wide panel over straps to hide the knot. A decorative belt can be added to create a very traditional looking skirt.
Belly Dance Look
-Maternity Skirt for Over Blouse -- Put wide panel in back folded up and tie straps in center front in sash style, with a rosette or bow. Looks nice worn with a blouse with shirt tails tied in front at the waist for a very casual look. For maternity use an over blouse. Can be worn and straps adjusted for comfort throughout the whole pregnancy. Separate the ends and tie together through the slit behind the created rosette to hold it in place against the dress. Usually if you twist the strap tight enough it will hold this shape very well, or you may pin it to keep it in place.
Shortened Wide Belt Look
--For a smooth waist, fold up wide panel to create only a wide belt look with an uneven skirt length. A good combination for a crop top or blouse tucked in.
With wide panel to one side tie straps on opposite side with square knot and leave straps hanging free. You can tie this all the way up at the waist or hip sling it if there is sufficient length to tie the straps on the side and close off the slit. It the slit does not close enough under the square knot then untie and roll the top of the wide panel under at the waist. This will shorten the flat wide panel across the hips and allow the knot to close more completely on the side.
Sarong shown in New Color Sage Green in Cotton Gauze
This is the dress that started it all. For a history of the sarong click here.
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