10 Saree Draping Tools Every Professional Should Have In Their Kit

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Introduction

People judge you by your tools. If you are in the wedding industry as a saree drapist, there is an extra “wedding stress” at the venue. If you lack the right tools, it slows down couples getting ready. This also affects event planners. Weddings feel great when you prep well and finish draping quickly. Other vendors appreciate when you are organized, and they try to be like you too to do a good job. Saree draping is not a regulated profession, and every drapist has their own set of tools. Below are the ones I use and recommend too.

Safety Pins

While this seems a no-brainer, safety pins are a hit or miss. Because the saree fabric is different for each customer. Sadly, there aren’t a lot of types of safety pins catering to different fabrics. If you know the saree fabric type better, the easier it is to source the right safety pins. It is a trial and error to buy different types of safety pins and use the right ones for the customers. I source from Etsy because these safety pins come with the ball instead of a coil end. That means they are anti-snag and don’t tear the saree or the lehenga dupatta.

Saree Clamps

Some saree drapists use plastic clamps for sarees. But, due to the diverse fabric types to work with, I always choose stainless steel clamp. Trust me, I have tried from the ones the photographers use to the ones available on Amazon. It was a hunt to find a metal clamp that can hold to the table edges and sometimes my velvet cloth hanger too. There is no one perfect clamp but different ones for different fabrics and the table you pleat the saree on.

Magnetic Wristband

This band is a pretty handy solution while draping a saree. I found a hairstylist using this while braiding and adapted the solution for brides. It definitely beats holding the safety pins in your mouth. If your crew drapes 15 people in 2 hours, get something like a cup with a magnet. Also, when the quality of safety pins is good, people tend to borrow from you. Add a cost for every 10 safety pins if wedding guests want to use your professional ones.

Steam Iron

I like the ones with more settings, like the Black + Decker. They let you choose the fabric and have anti-drip features. This way, the heat won’t damage the saree. Self-clean it once a month depending on the usage. Choose a steamer if the saree has stones or detailed embroidery. Also, if you hardly use the steamer, clean the water tank with baking soda before you steam the saree. I used to steam Sherwanis, lehenga skirts, and blouses when they were delicate to handle.

Ironing Board

I use a foldable, height-adjustable outdoor table that stands at least 35 inches tall. This is different from traditional ironing boards. Because most of the sarees are of 5 meters. So, to hand press that long fabric, a traditional ironing board is not enough. I use an extra large ironing mat on the table.

Hair Curler and Straightener

For voluminous pleats in drapes, use a hair curler set to the right heat. I use 1.5 thickness for Kanchipuram silk sarees, and it has never disappointed. Feel free to try with different settings on different fabrics to get a hang of this technique. I have brides who want to decide at the venue whether to have sleeker or voluminous pleats. So, I use the hair straightener for sleeker pleats if there is a last-minute request.

Saree Hangers

You might find it silly to have this on the list. But the right hanger matters too. There are sarees that replace dumbbells too with their heavy embellishments. So, there is no one type of hanger that does the job here. By default, I use the velvet hangers for lightweight sarees with no bells and whistles. If the saree is too heavy for these hangers, I use skirt hangers with adjustable clips. Those hangers allow you to pleat the saree and clip as needed.

Garment Bags

This is one of my favorite tools to transport the sarees after prepping and pleating them. Wedding photographers appreciate this packaging. They can use the saree for getting ready shots and easily store it back in these bags. Use the clamps to secure pleats if needed before putting the saree into these bags. I am an ardent fan of clear bags. You also get cotton bags with a net window. These bags are breathable and perfect for silk sarees, lehengas, and sherwanis.

Breathable Saree Bags

Certain silk sarees should be folded and wrapped in a muslin or breathable cotton bag. I always pack pleated sarees in these custom organic cotton bags. They are travel-friendly too. You can pack them in carry-on or check-in baggage. I also sell them to people here in Dallas locally.

Sewing Kit

I learned from Dolly Jain about hand sewing pleats. It is a required skill for saree drapists. I know TikTok is full of the tagging gun for clothing used in draping lehengas and sarees. But a stitch is almost invisible and doesn’t move at all like the gun. I would say to use what works for your customer. In the USA, brides rely on me to decide on hand-sewn pleats or the tagging gun. They let me make decisions that suit the fabric and the time spent on the saree or lehenga. I always choose what works best.

Conclusion

Saree draping tools evolve with time and customer requirements like all the professions. Think about long-term use before buying a tool. It should be worth the investment, not just for one customer. Saree draping requires your body to be fit as it is manual labor like hair styling. Take care of your body and posture. They are important for your health. If you have other tools that really help, please share them with others like you.