Heirloom Saree Upcycling & Redesign
Sacaru
We turn your old sarees into new custom outfits like dresses, jackets, or sets, working with you to design and upcycle each piece based on the fabric and its condition.
Pricing Guide
Saree to Anarkali or Gown Conversion
Design & Engineering
- Fabric Stress Test: Assessment of vintage silk strength to ensure it withstands machine stitching without tearing.
- Strategic Cutting: Mapping the Pallu for yokes and borders for sleeves while avoiding existing stains or weak spots.
- Silhouette Choice: Options include Kalidar Anarkali, Box Pleated Maxi, or A-line cut.
Construction Specs
- Premium Lining: Includes 3.5 to 5 meters of Butter Crepe or Cotton Silk to support delicate fabrics.
- Reinforcement: Fusing applied to shoulder and yoke areas to prevent fabric splitting.
- Hardware: YKK invisible zippers and hand-made potli buttons.
- Finishing: Double-folded hems, inner overlocking, and padded bra cups included.
Care & Delivery
- Sanitization: Steam treatment and crease removal prior to cutting.
- Packaging: Delivered in a breathable fabric cover for long-term storage.
2-Piece Coord Set Conversion
Configuration
- Base Piece: Construction of a Skirt (Lehenga), Dhoti Pant, or Sleeveless inner dress using the main saree body.
- Layer Piece: Construction of a Crop Top, Koti (Jacket), or Cape using the Pallu or Brocade portions.
Structural Work
- Hard Fusing: Application of canvas or hard-net fusing to jackets to create coat-like stiffness from limp vintage fabric.
- Pattern Alignment: Precise matching of motifs (buttas) across the center front.
Standard Inclusions
- Lining: Color-matched Santoon or Cotton lining for both garments.
- Fittings: Includes up to 2 rounds of trial fittings at the studio.
- Details: Standard latkan (tassels) for drawstrings and re-attachment of loose sequins.
Indo-Western Fusion Set with Corsetry
Advanced Construction
- Corsetry: Structured top creation with inserted Rigilene boning, padded cups, and lace-up or zipper closures.
- Fabric Lamination: Full block-fusing of vintage silk with heavy interlining to support trousers or structured bodices.
- Bottom Wear: Construction of cigarette pants, palazzo pants, or draped skirts with reinforced side pockets.
Process & Fit
- Muslin Mock-up: Creation of a rough cotton toile fit trial before cutting the actual heirloom saree to zero-out risk.
- Placement Design: Strategic positioning of Zari motifs on bust or waistlines.
Couture Finishing
- Edging: Hand-hemming on visible edges and bias binding on armholes to prevent chafing.
About Heirloom Saree Upcycling & Redesign
Why I Love Upcycling Heirloom Sarees
For me, every saree holds a story. There's something about a vintage Kanjeevaram or an old Benarasi that just feels special - memories stitched right in. I don't like the idea of these beauties getting stuck away in trunks. I want to help you wear those stories, not just keep them.
What I Do With Your Saree
- Turn sarees into statement dresses - pleated gowns, sangeet-ready dresses, even something strapless if that's your vibe.
- Two-piece sets? Yes, please. I can split one saree into outfits like a dress and a jacket, so you get more than one way to wear your heritage.
- I work with all sorts of traditional fabrics - Benarasi, Kanjeevaram, Paithani, Mysore silk, tissue, brocade, georgette, organza - you name it.
Handling Old Fabrics
- Old sarees usually have nicks or stains. I don't hide that - instead, I use embroidery, re-dyeing, or creative design to work around these.
- Each piece is different, and I take care to keep the fabric's original soul.
How We Work Together
- It's always a one-on-one thing. We sit down, talk about what your saree means to you, and design together.
- I find the best results come when you trust me with some creative freedom - that's when the real magic happens.
If you've thought about a modern heirloom saree transformation or want repurposed silk saree outfits, I'm all in.
Meet your Expert
Sacaru by Kavya & Pooja
65 connects in last 3 months
My Story
We’re Kavya and Pooja, and Sacaru is our labour of love. Indian textiles are kinda our thing – the silk, the brocade, all those stories woven in. We started Sacaru to keep those old-school threads alive, but with a twist for today’s women. We get a kick out of details, like a surprise pop of colour or the fall of a drape. Taking a stained vintage saree and turning it into a modern dress? That’s our jam. Fashion with soul, slow and conscious.
My Work
What We Do - Ethnic couture, custom bridal wear, Indo-Western outfits, cocktail dresses, made-to-order pret, upcycled saree dresses.
Slow Fashion, Always - We believe in making timeless pieces and upcycling vintage sarees into wearable art.
Obsessed With Details - Expect hand embroidery, zardosi, beadwork, and lots of mixing fabrics and textures.
Custom, Every Time - We collaborate with you - your ideas, our hands. Fit and feel are everything.
