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Easiest dhoti in the world for Krishna deity

Following on from my first HOW TO MAKE A DHOTI FOR KRISHNA post, I have put together a very simple guide, with some ideas and explanations about the reasons for pleating, and how and where to pleat.

This really is the worlds easiest dhoti… or maybe I should say, realistic dhoti, after all there are some dhoti which are just a sarong and that is probably easier style.

It’s also extra fun because I have temporarily in my custody this beautiful Krishna deity I painted! Isn’t He lovely? Syamasundar Krishna in all joyous happy beauty. (If you are painting deities then please check out my tips on painting deity forms)

As long as you know how to sew and hem a simple rectangle, then this DIY tutorial is all you need to get started on making your own clothes for Krsna! If you have your deity standing in front of you then you can easily work out the length you need to cut.

I love it if I have Krsna in front of me it makes sewing for Him SO much easier! In general I would allow 1/2 of waist width for the front pleats, 3cm extra for the back pleat, and then 1.5 times waist width for the length to pass between Krishna legs and fold into the back of his dhoti at the back.

Always sew on your braid before you do your final stitches to secure the ends and add your press studs!

If anything in this tutorial is unclear, please refer to my step-by-step tutorial which is detailed with images! Here’s that link again 

There’s a whole catalogue of Krishna videos on my YouTube channel which you may or may not follow – not everything makes it’s way to my blog, we’ve diversified across social media platforms, hah! Please subscribe and follow me on YouTube & Facebook! I promise to keep it Krishna conscious! I don’t promise not to totally obsess over art, Krishna, deities, and more 🙂

 

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Easy vest DIY tutorial for Nitai Gaur or Krishna deities

gauranitai murti diy tutorial deity clothes

Summer is so easy! Just lovely breezy dhoti & nice light shawls. Once winter rolls around I start wishing I had more shirts for my dear Lords, so I have come up with a really simple shirt option.

This set is basically a sleeveless vest option and there are a variety of fabrics you can experiment with.

For this tutorial I used quite a flexible but heavy thai shot silk fabric (given to me by a very dear friend, thank you!).

I have also made longer looser versions in a sheer fabric which look really lovely on, they work really well and nicely, almost like flowy shawls.

The beauty of this pattern is it’s ease. It suits a beginner skill level, and there are no tricky sleeve insets in sight!

DIY sewing deity tutorial
after measuring the shoulder to waist height of your deities, double it so that each fabric strip will fold tidily over each shoulder. Hem both all the way around as needed.
How to make murti clothes for Nitai Gaur shirts
Once you have hemmed each strip of fabric, create pleats in the centre so that the neckline is narrower. Stitch across your pleats to secure them in place.
Deity garment tutorial
Now leaving enough room for the arm to pass through the hole and the top to sit around the shoulder, carefully overlap the fabric and stitch down, securing each strip of fabric into a half of the top
Deity Clothes DIY top tutorial for SEVA Vaishnava devotees of Krishna
Inside out, note the seams and stitching so you can understand how to do it.
Deity Murti top tutorial for sewing for your deities
Turn the tops in the right way and test on your deities. These little sleeveless vests can be pulled together tightly for warmth, and belted, or they can be left open and flowing.
The thai silk I have used for this set actually sits really nicely and is moldable, but I have also made versions where I have put velcro at the back so it closes securely.
gauranitai murti diy tutorial deity clothes
The finished garment set with little tunic tops

 

For more DIY deity tutorials browse through these posts.

I posted this set off, so couldn’t share a photo of them on.

This was the first type of top I made for my own deities, and it really is the foundation of long sleeve top patterns I will plan to share later on.

Try it in light fabrics! Add braid, add trims, have fun, and share your pics I would LOVE to see your creativity.

 

Be sure to let me know if my tutorial is lacking, I might have to work on improving it. Hopefully you’ll get the idea of how to construct these easy deity vests.

 

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10 Easy Deity Jewelry Cheats

Krishna Crown easy stretchy bangle

Some jewellery ideas you can buy ready made and use or adapt to ornament your sweet Lords.

There are lots of differently sized deities, my Lord Chaitanya & Lord Nityananda deities are a glorious 53cm base to tip of arms, and I admit I was eager for this size, after years of making fiddly garments for my parents Gaura Nitai deities, who are only around 20cm.

  1. Elasticated rings for bracelets
  2. Stick on bindi earrings – if your deities do not have pierced earholes
  3. Earrings with the plastic earring holder as the stud back are perfect for your deities
  4. Bracelets as crowns – two types which work, stretchy elastic or soft friendship band style bracelets
  5. Ornamental braid crowns (small DIY required in joining the ends together, can be done with a stitch or two, or even sticky tape!)
  6. Bracelets & Anklets necklaces – small fine chains work nicely for this, check the kids section
  7. Adjustable Rings as crowns – particularly lovely around a bun, or for Radha deity
  8. Clippon earrings are darling to adorn belts, ends of shawls or fix turbans in place
  9. Buy beads by the strand & simply tie the ends of the thread – instant deity necklace
  10. Ribbon can make easy shawls – Lace works particularly nicely & rarely needs hem
bracelets as necklaces, a selection of our faves
Necklaces – fancy ornamental style – you can buy these filigree style necklaces anywhere, perfect for deities necklaces
Expandable rings perfect bangles for deities
soft plastic backs make perfect earring backs for studs
mukut deity jewellery
Anklebells/ Anklets as necklaces or belts
Elastic bracelets as crowns
Clippon earrings can be used charmingly attached to turbans, headbands or belts
Buy beads by the open strand and tie the ends for an instant necklace our favorite pearl necklaces are a simple pre-threaded strand of tiny pearls
Bindi for earrings, rings, jewellery, toe rings are so pretty and easy
Krishna Crown easy stretchy bangle
Krsna wears a soft tied cowherd-boy style bandanna, and using a stretchy bangle to ornament the shawl which is tied with ends out, cowherd boy style. Easy to find these stretchy bracelets at big cheap jewellery places like Lovisa, Dotti, and so on. He wears amber earrings which are secured using the little plastic stud backs which are easy to mold up to the backs of his ears.
Krishna & Balaram easy Deity DIY NO SEW no Crafting ornamental accessories
Smaller 9″ Krishna & Balaram deities wear charming strawberry earrings (childrens section of jewellery store) & little bracelets as necklaces. The gold one Lord Balaram wears is a bracelet, as is the silver diamonte one Krsna wears.
The extra pearl and silver one draped over Lord Balaram is another special delicate bracelet. These are my 8yr olds play deities. I try and let her develop her bond with them whilst only gently guiding!
Lace Shawls deity DIY, and ring crowns.
Krishna deity crown easy DIY tutorial tips and tricks for ornaments and accessories
Krishna’s crown is made from a braided/beaded wristband, with a little tassel attached. He also wears an anklet as a belt. His earrings are amber & his necklace is vintage Indian murti jewellery.