As my family was preparing for a wedding of a relative, my eldest bhuti showed me the traditional way to “iron” a lihiya.

A lihiya is a piece of fabric worn like a wrap-around skirt in traditional dress. 

It turns out that there is no iron involved. 

Rather, the layer or layers of fabric are spread out on a grass mat and held down by rocks to dry in the sun. 

One of the questions that I have had for a year was finally answered, as well. I asked make if I should hem the two cut edges of the fabric, and she said no. Since then, I have just trimmed the dangling strings. 

My bhuti explained that the edges should be rolled as tightly as possible, and that the drying process will keep the edge rolled and the frayed edges out of sight.