[quote author=wonjyunyung link=topic=116.msg379#msg379 date=1197735382]
Hi Sunflower,

There are two types of nonya sarongs - (1) Sarong Lepas (sometimes known as kain panjang whereby the length of material is about 3 metres long) and the (2) Kepala Sarong (tubular sarongs with a smaller panel called the kepala design and the badan which is the major body design.

The sarong which you describe is the latter one.  To wear that sarong you require some practice. Looking at pictures do not help much sometimes unless you try it.  Here are some steps:

(1)  Upon wearing the tubular sarong, first is to adjust the sarong onto your left or right.  Depending on your preference.  Lets assume we fold on the left.  Pull the sarong to your left side and adjust the kepala panel making sure 1/3 or 1/4 of the smaller panel is folded inwards.

(2)  Once done, use your right hand to press the sarong on your left side as tight as possible.

(3)  Now fold the sarong on the left side towards the right side.

(4)  Now that the sarong seems tight, now is to fold the sarong outwards as if one would fold their long sleeves shirt.  People usually fold twice. [b][color=blue]But I always had the habit of folding 3 times to be safe.[/color][/b]

(5)  Now you have finished folding, you should use the tali pinggang (the belt) to put around the sarong to fasten it.

If you want to try to know more, there is a place in katong whereby you could go and ask the shop owner to teach you how to fold the sarongs.  If you want to know the address, just forward a mail to my account.

Rgds

Jyun
[/quote]

[quote author=wonjyunyung link=topic=141.msg489#msg489 date=1201120173]
Hi Sunflower,

I dun think you can find fully hand-drawn batiks from Malacca other than the vintage pieces which you might get in old antique shops.  Coz I had never seen any of my friends being able to get any of such there before.

Fully hand-drawn batiks are hard to find in singapore too.  But its not cannot find at all.  In Tanglin Mall there is a shop on 2nd level where it sells all Indonesian curios, they do sell a fully hand-drawn nonya style batiks drawn in Lasem style on silk.  A silk sarong and a silk scarf $1000++.  Heehee my friend Rosie got one from there recently.  Its freaking beautiful in "ark sai green", maroon red and yellowish gold colour.  She told me she waited 2 years for this sarong since she last ordered it.  [b][color=blue]For me, I guess cotton batik combinasi is enough for me haha.[/color][/b] 

You can try out in Malacca.  Personally I had not been to Malacca before.  But I had seen my friends buying sarongs which are machine print ones costing them about RM$30 to 40++, while in Singapore when I bring them to buy such cloth, they cost about S$18 to 28. Sometimes if the machine cap batik has prada lacing on the batik designs cost from S$40++ to $60++. Judging the prices, I rather get them in Singapore coz I am lazy in travelling haha.  But it would be different if you are going to Malacca for a tour and get some at the same time.

Rgds
[/quote]

Hi Jyun

I had read some of your threat replies in the Peranakan Fashion section and just out of curiosity, I would like to ask you something with regards to 2 of your replies from 2 different threats, bolded in blue as shown above.

In the threat reply on how to tie traditional batik sarong, for step four, you were describing the method of folding the sarong outwards and you mentioned that you had the habit of folding 3 times to be safe.

In another threat on which hand drawn batiks were being discussed, in you reply, you also mentioned that batik combinasi is enough for you.

I suppose for there are sarongs for men which are plain in colour and design without those motifs of flowers, butterflies, phoenix etc. These can be commonly seen as what the male from the Malay community here are wearing.

As you are a man yourself, you mean you do wear nyonya batik sarongs which are meant for ladies? Hope you don't mind that I ask you this question.  :)