PRG4579 Sheer Wabi Sabi Pure Silk Boxy Top

Below is a description of some of the types of flaws we see in upcycled silk sari fabric. Please watch the video attached to the wabi sabi product for details about the specific flaws in the piece in which you are interested. 

Fabric Warp and Weft Issues

What we mean when we say that there is a warp/weft issue is that the threads that are woven together to create the fabric have pulled apart slightly in places. This means that if you hold the fabric up to the light, you may see light peeking through the fabric. This flaw does not affect the fabric’s durability. This type of flaw can be mild, moderate or significant. Watch the video attached to the piece that interests you for details.

Staining

Despite the fact the the fabrics are cleaned before they are re-used, there may be some discolouration on the garment caused by day-to-day use or as a result of printing or dyeing issues. Please note that staining can be mild, moderate or significant. We try to highlight any stains we can see on the videos that accompany each wabi sabi product.

Thread Pulls/Pinholes

As you know, each sariKNOTsari piece of silk clothing is made from a vintage sari. Indian ladies often use pins to fasten their sari pleats in place and these pins can sometimes lead to pinholes and threads pulls. Also, in order to add durability and weight to the bottom of the sari, women will attach a cotton strip, called a “fall”,  to the bottom hem of their saris. When we remove the fall in order to reimagine the piece of silk, there are inevitably small holes in the fabric. These tiny holes do not jeopardize the integrity of the fabric, as they are the result of the warp and weft threads being separated rather than broken. We categorize these types of fabric issues as mild, moderate and significant. Please watch the video that accompanies the wabi sabi product for more details about the specific fabric issues in the piece you are considering purchasing.

Brand Tag Stamp Visible

Sometimes you can see the sari-maker’s brand stamp on a piece of silk that we have transformed into another type of garment. We think the brand stamps are charming and that they don’t detract from our products, but because we also sell our clothing to boutiques around the world, we pull these “branded” products and add them to our wabi sabi or “perfectly imperfect” collection. Generally, if the piece you are interested in has a brand tag, you will be able to see its exact location in the product video. 

Fabric Patching

In order to extend the life of our gorgeous silks, we use small patches to camouflage the unavoidable fabric issues that arise from using upcycled fabrics. Most of our regularly-priced pieces will have some patching, but if there is more patching than we think is reasonable or if the patching is combined with another fabric issue, we will add the piece to our wabi sabi collection. Patching can be mild, moderate or significant. Please see the images and video attached to the wabi sabi piece that interests you for patches on that particular piece.

Need help finding your size, choosing between styles, or picking the perfect piece? Meet with our team over video chat—it's free and fun!

Book a Virtual Appointment

Generally, this one size fits from a size 2 to a size 12 but here are the actual product measurements. (There are slight variations due to the handmade nature of this garment.)

SLEEVE OPENING AT UNDERARM: 10" Laid Flat 

LENGTH FROM BACK OF NECK TO BOTTOM HEM:  20"-23" 

WIDTH ACROSS CHEST AT UNDERARMS: 25" Laid Flat 

SLEEVE OPENING AT BOTTOM OF SLEEVE: 9" Laid Flat

FABRIC CONTENT:

Our sheer garments are made with pure silk georgette or pure silk chiffon saris. The remainder of our silk items are made with a strong pure silk crepe.

FABRIC CARE:

Wash clothing separately in cold water by hand or in a net bag on delicate using mild detergent. Hang dry. Steam iron if desired.

CARING FOR PATCHED SILK:

Wash clothing separately in cold water by hand or in a net bag on delicate using mild detergent. Hang dry. Steam iron if desired.

If a patch seems to be lifting at the edges, it can easily be re-attached.

• Place a piece of white cotton fabric on the ironing board (in case the glue from the patch seeps through the fabric onto your ironing board.).
• Place the silk fabric with the area to be patched in a single layer on the white cotton.
• Place the patch over the fabric flaw on the silk fabric.
• Cover the silk fabric and the patch with a presscloth - a thin layer of cotton fabric.
• Press the patch on firmly through the presscloth with the iron temperature set to high. Repeat as necessary.
• Allow the patch to cool before moving the silk fabric off the ironing board.

LOST A PATCH?

• Email us a picture of where you need a patch and we can mail a replacement to you. You can send the email to shop@sariknotsari.com

Please visit this page for detailed information about our shipping and returns:

Shipping & Returns

The Nirvana Collection

In Eastern religions, Nirvana refers to a state of ultimate liberation from the cycle of rebirth. The Pure Upcycled Silk Nirvana Collection is made from vintage pure silk saris, however these rare and beautiful pieces are flawless. They have magically eluded the ravages of time.

Enjoy the perfection of heaven on Earth with the sariKNOTsari Nirvana Collection

The Avatar Collection

In Eastern philosophy, an Avatar is an incarnation that teaches how to evolve virtues of the past into the present. The Pure Upcycled Silk Avatar Collection is made from vintage pure silk saris, chosen and worn by women in the past to celebrate their lives. If you look very closely, you will see that the silks in this collection show some of the character of their previous incarnations through the appliqués that have been lovingly applied to bring new life to the  fabric. This piece is a reminder that we are part of a collective journey to which we all add a little something.

You may find some appliqués and/or very minor thread pulls on pieces in this collection.

The Wabi Sabi Collection

Wabi sabi pieces have flaws that we have tried to highlight in the images. We feel these pieces are still beautiful to wear and in most cases, you are the only one who will know that the piece has "flaws". Please look closely at the pictures and the video in the product images to learn about the flaws in the particular piece in which you are interested.