The Nivi drape is the one most people learn first.

You will need

A saree, a fitted blouse, a petticoat tied firmly at the waist and a few safety pins.

The steps

  1. Tuck the plain end into the petticoat at the right, and wrap once around.
  2. Make five to seven even pleats of about five inches.
  3. Tuck the pleats in at the navel, facing left.
  4. Take the rest around once more.
  5. Pleat the pallu and lay it over the left shoulder.
  6. Pin the pallu at the shoulder and the pleats at the waist.

Practise once before the day: it gets quicker every time.