Make Hawaiian
clothes for a tropical party or a trip to the islands.
Make Hawaiian clothes in your favorite colors and prints to wear when you host an urban faux-beach luau or to give as gifts to the tropical-cocktail-loving couple in your life. A standard loose-fitting, boxy shirt pattern makes a perfect Hawaiian shirt when you sew it from a cotton fabric in a bold tropical print. Try making a traditional pa'u skirt to go with a hot-pink bikini top, and don't forget to add aloha to your creations by layering on the colorful floral leis.
Instructions
Make a Hawaiian Shirt
1. Cut out the pattern pieces following the guidelines for your size.
2. Pin the pattern pieces to your fabric following the layout drawing that is printed on the instructions. Be certain you are happy with the placement of your tropical print on each pattern piece. Try placing a whole beach scene on the back of the shirt or a palm leaf on the pocket piece.
3. Cut out the fabric around the pattern pieces.
4. Place a fabric piece with its right side facing the piece to which you will attach it. Sew the pieces together following the seam allowance guidelines, in the order that your pattern instructions direct.
5. Turn the shirt right-side out and press it. Sew the pocket to the shirt. Add buttonholes using your sewing machine's buttonhole attachment. Attach the buttons by hand. Try out white buttons, bright buttons in colors you find in the print and specialty buttons with painted tropical designs.
Make a Traditional Pa'u Skirt
6. Wrap 3 to 5 yards of printed cotton fabric around your waist to make the skirt according to the traditional pa'u method.
7. Fold down a channel at the top of the skirt that is wide enough to encase a length of cotton cording.
8. Sew the channel in place using a straight stitch on your sewing machine.
9. Insert the cord into the channel.
10. Wrap the skirt around your waist, bunching the fabric so that it drapes attractively, and tie the cord on the left side, creating a full skirt with a slit opening.
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