It is important to make a grass skirt that will stay together during the duration of your event.
Dressing up in traditional Hawaiian dress is a fun alternative to the common Halloween witch or ghost costume. Even if it is not Halloween, and you need to make a homemade grass skirt for a theme party or any other event, it is important to know make it properly. This version is quite simple and uses raffia as a substitute for the grass.
Instructions
1. Purchase raffia at any local craft store. You can either purchase real raffia that is a string-like weed that grows in tropical climates and is sold dried at craft stores, or you can buy the fake version that is made of nylon and is less expensive. Raffia can be purchased by the spool, flat or bag.
2. Cut the raffia into strips that are the appropriate length for your skirt. Measure one strip of raffia against the length of your leg. Cut that strip and use it as a sample length for the rest of your strips. Although traditional grass skirts go past the knee, the length of your skirt is up to your personal taste and can be as long or short as you want it to be.
3. Measure a piece of raffia around your waist and then add a few extra inches onto the length of the string. Mark where the extra raffia begins before cutting it. This piece becomes the waistband for the skirt. The extra material at the ends is for tying your skirt in a secure bow around your waist.
4. Lay out some newspaper on a flat surface and put the raffia waistband on top of it. Apply fabric glue all along the waistband and stick the strands of raffia on it. If you want a fuller skirt, wait until the first layer of raffia stands dry, and then add an extra layer of raffia on top of the first one. Make sure to be aware where you marked the beginning of the extra material on both sides of the raffia stand, so you do not accidentally glue strands to that part.
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