Original Hawaiian hula skirts were made from leaves of the ti plant.
The word "Hawaii" usually brings to mind images of beautiful women swaying in grass skirts with colorful leis around their necks. Hawaiians are known to wear a variety of bright, tropical colors and prints in their daily clothing, and the authentic Hawaiian hula skirts were originally made from leaves of the ti plant. However, today's skirts are made from a variety of material such as crepe or raffia. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Buy the raffia at your local craft or fabric shop. It comes in large bags or on a spool. You can actually buy natural grass raffia or the synthetic type. The synthetic raffia is less expensive and is made of nylon. Raffia comes in many colors, but tan, brown or green is the best color to choose if you want an authentic look for a Hawaiian skirt.
2. Wrap the elastic band around your waist so it fits snugly, and measure 1 inch past that. Cut it with a pair of scissors and sew the ends together using a needle and thread.
3. Gather the raffia in a stack, fold the stack in half, measuring it to 26 inches, and then cut it. This will not only make the raffia the length you need, it will also even out the ends. Next, take each strand of raffia and hang it over the elastic band, making sure the ends are the same length. Knot each strand under the elastic band. Follow this procedure with all the strands until the skirt is as full as you would like.
4. Try on the skirt to make sure it fits the way you would like. If the waist is a little too loose you can always roll it under one time for a snugger fit. To really authenticate the look, buy a lei from your local craft store and wear it with your skirt, in addition to a bikini top made with coconuts. The leis at craft stores will usually be made of plastic; if you wish to buy one made from real flowers, you may be able to find one at a florist shop.
Tags: made from, elastic band, each strand, from leaves, from leaves plant, Hawaiian hula