Create a homemade grass skirt.
In Tahiti, as well as in other island cultures, dance plays an important part of the history and traditions. Traditions stretch from ancient dance steps to the clothes the dancers wear, including Tahitian grass skirts. These skirts, made from lengths of tall, dried grass, rustle and flutter as the dancers move. The plant material also offered ancient Tahitians a medium for creating clothing in a culture with few fabrics. Create your own grass skirts for a tropical-theme party or as a follow-up to a classroom culture lesson. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure around your hips and add 2 feet to that measurement. Cut a piece of 3-inch wide brown ribbon matching your final measurement. For instance, if you measure 36 inches around your hips, you'll need a piece of ribbon 5 feet long.
2. Spread out your ribbon horizontally in front of you. Measure 1 foot in from either end of the ribbon. This extra length will become your skirt ties later.
3. Gather a 1/4-inch thick bundle of raffia string in your fingers and cut it about 20 inches long, or the measurement from your hips to your knees. Traditional Hawaiian skirts are longer, but Tahitian skirts are usually fairly short. Begin by cutting about 20 bundles, cutting more later if needed.
4. Press the ends of the bundle against your ribbon about 1 foot in from one end. Stitch the bundle into place with a needle and thread. Add a little hot glue to the string to keep all the pieces together and prevent any of your raffia from falling out. Squeeze the hot glue into the inside of each bundle so you can't see it.
5. Continue stitching pieces of grass (raffia string bundles) onto your ribbon until it's full. The bundles should be very close together. Allow the hot glue to dry for about 10 minutes. Wear your new grass skirt by tying it around your waist.
Tags: around your, your hips, your ribbon, around your hips, foot from, grass skirt, grass skirts