Falls, Pico & Pre-Pleating: Why They Matter

A beautiful saree can still be a struggle to wear if a few small things are not done. Falls, pico and pre-pleating are the unglamorous essentials that make draping effortless and the finished look clean. Here is what each does.

Falls

A fall is a strip of fabric stitched to the inner lower edge of the saree. It adds weight so the saree hangs and pleats properly instead of flying up, and it protects the delicate hem from wear and dragging. A saree without a fall never quite sits right, and frays faster.

Pico

Pico is a fine rolled-edge finish along the raw borders of the saree, stopping them from fraying. It is a small, neat job that keeps the saree looking finished and lasting longer — the tailoring equivalent of good housekeeping.

Pre-pleating

Pre-pleating means the pleats are made, pressed and set in advance — sometimes lightly tacked — so that draping takes minutes instead of a frustrating quarter-hour in front of the mirror. For anyone who does not drape a saree daily, this is transformative.

Why bother?

• A fall makes the saree hang and pleat the way it should.
• Pico keeps the edges clean and stops fraying.
• Pre-pleating makes draping quick, neat and stress-free every time.
• Together, they turn a saree from a project into an easy pleasure to wear.

These jobs are quick and inexpensive, and they are the difference between a saree that sits in the cupboard because it is “too much effort” and one you actually reach for. Bundle a few together and it is easy to plan a single home visit, too.