Abaya Doesn't Have to be Black:)

At first, I didn't want to wear an abaya because 1) I'm not from Saudi Arabia:0), 2) they're always black and 3) they're kind of intimidating to people. When I reverted to Islam, Alhamdulillah, I received an abaya as a gift. It was so beautiful with the soft, satiny fabric, red sleeve inserts and matching hijab. I think the style is so beautiful but I only ever seem to wear it when I pray. Because it was too big, I decided to take it in a bit. When I saw how simple it was yet so flattering, I decided to make a pattern from it. I didn't want to take it apart and I'm really glad I didn't because I managed to make an awesome pattern from the existing abaya without so much as ripping a stitch:) I have used this pattern to make 3 so far and I have also modified the pattern to make a long kameez that goes past the knees to wear with my flared jeans. I can't believe it took me so long o come around to wearing abayat! They’re classy and elegant in black - but in different fabrics ad colours, they’re modern, flattering, comfortable and sooo convenient! Just pull it on overtop whatever your wearing, add a hijab and you're out the door:) With my pattern, I have further modified it and I'm also just finishing up a nice and light cotton coat for the summer. Below are pics of 2 of the abayat I made and the long kameez. What do you think?:)

Light Denim Fabric  - Ocean Blue

Polyester Suiting Blend - Raspberry Flower 

Cotton Suiting Material - Embellished Gray

Turn your jeans into a skirt:)

When I first started wearing modest clothing, I definitely needed to update my wardrobe. My clothing was fairly modest to begin with but the styles I wore were pretty fitted. I didn't want to give away all of my clthes, so I began "recycling" them:) Since then, it hasn't just been me who converted! All of my jeans and pants have too, ha, ha, ha:) Here’s one of my favourites that I did - and every time I wear it, my sisters and friends tell me how much they like it - hope you will too:) I've posted direction below if you want to try this out for yourselves:)

•Take a pair of jeans or pants, turn them inside out and mark from the top of the waist, 8 or 9 inches down.

• Cut along the line you measured.

• Measure the bottom edge of the wide waistband you now have. You will use this number later.

• Take apart the pants legs and trim down the edges to make four equally-sized rectangles that taper at the top. They should look like squared wedges, narrower at the top of wider at the bottom. The narrower the top is, the more fabric you’ll need from the other material you’ll be using. The width at the bottom will add to the overall flare of the skirt. Make sure that you have added at least ½ inch for a seam allowance for the top, left and right sides. I usually make sure there’s at least 1½ inches for the bottom to hem later.

• Measure the top of each rectangle and add the numbers up. Subtract this number from the bottom of the waistband you measured. For example, if the bottom edge of the waistband is 42 inches and the tops of the wedges you now have add up to 24 inches (6-inch widths for each one), 42-24=18.

• You will need to make sure the wedges you are cutting from the other material you’re using, will measure no more than 18 inches overall. So, for four wedges, that’s 4½ inches each, at the top.

• The bottom of the wedges can be any width you like as long as they’re equal to the top width or wider. Make sure that you have added at least ½ inch for a seam allowance for the top, left and right sides. I usually make sure there’s at least 1½ inches for the bottom to hem later.

• Once you have your 8 wedges with the seam allowance factored in and they are all cut, sew them together, alternating the materials.

• Measure the top of the sewn-together wedges and make sure the measurement is the same as the bottom edge of the waistband.

• Attach the waistband to the top of the wedges and sew in place. Measure to the desired length and hem.

• From start to finish, this skirt takes about 1½ hours to complete, sew it’s extremely fast, pun intended:)