Do you sew?
Do you have projects that you have done a poor job and have stuff them into the Abyss of Shame?
If you have, I would love to hear about how you have recycled or fixed them.
In the meantime, I would like to show a project that was ruined in one day, folks. That's right. One day.
The Worst Project I Have Done
From this abaya, I have learned the value of choosing decent fabric, sewing with a 5/8 allowance, being careful when cutting and most importantly, packing a good burp cloth. The fabric was a very buttery soft but it does not take ironing well. So in the future, it willing be thrown into the dryer to get out the wrinkles. The pattern was very simple, I traced my old abaya out on the fabric (I should have traced paper first) and I begin to cut. Well, I wanted a nice little abaya for the Eid and I didn't plan out anything. That included the seam allowances, the zipper and the jacked up underarm.
Me feel so bad.
It get even better. I added the orange velveteen to give me more "kick" width and I was cool until I got to Altanta, GA.
Then hell broke loose on this abaya.
During the Jummah Salat, I went into Ruku and the under arm ripped on me. I did'nt worry too much, my hijab had me covered.
Zaynab, my toddler daughter, was a very cute, milk spewing butterball back then. She threw up on the abaya.
I had wet wipes and my hijab.
Then my husband brought us the "Whopper" (my thoughts only) of fish sandwiches in Altanta. This badboy was two battered & fried to perfection fish filets with the works holding the slices of bread together. The restaurant is near a Masjid and a Halal meat shop. I ended up dropping fish onto my hijab and abaya.
When we got back home, my beautiful abaya was a greasy and ripped mess.
I can rebuild this (I think)
I want to turn this into a hooded abaya. I'm keeping the zipper and yellow embroidery (insha'allah) I hope to incorporate more.
My plan (please don't laugh)
My inspiration:
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| This abaya is on my Eid al-Fitr Want List, folks. |
And while you are at it, check out this stunning collection of lovely hooded abaya goodness at Lace and Gems.
So I hope to have more on this project soon. Insha'allah.
I think your blog is clever and I love that you talk about your personal life too. I have had failures that I have put in the abyss of shame, I love that phrase I have never heard it before. Also the idea of recycling clothes is very interesting to me, it has become a fashion movement really hasn't it. I look forward to seeing what you do and wish you well with it.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh...I have so many disastrous projects that I never mention that it doesn't bear thinking about!
ReplyDeleteDo you ever make or study historic Islamic clothing? I'm really interested in 1840s Persian costume, but have had very little luck in finding sources.
@The Dreamstress
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I even collect old sewing books on how to make caftans and other ethnic clothing from the 70s because that's when ethnic clothes hit mainstream America.
Plus I get a kick out of reading "groovy" and the term "cat".
I just made picture copies of one old book that might interest you.
God-willing, I'll get the title and author for you.
I have looked into historic Islamic clothing, it haven't changed that much and alot of it survives in the Islamic clothes of today.
I know that Persia or modern time Iran was mostly Islamic, so most of the time the upper class women were screened from outside view so when they went out, they covered themselves with robes, facial veils, and cloaks (chadors). The thing is that the time period you are aiming for would probably be no different from the times before and after it. There would be very little differences in the clothing and design except only to show the status of the wearer.
I have found SCA Guilds to be useful too.
Found this for you:
http://www.irandokht.com/editorial/index4.php?area=per§ionID=3&editorialID=958
Let me know how your costume comes along.
Asalamu alaikum!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that this post was featured on my blog post: "10+ ways to customise your Abaya!" {http://muslimahsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/10-ways-to-customise-your-abaya.html}
Mashallah.
Take care :)
Almost ready for the next Eid, but I wanted to respond to your post. I have always used fine appliques and exquisite buttons for the ruined/stained/burnt spots on clothing. Place the decoration over the damaged location and strategically add additional decorations. One example is a larger floral applique on a badly stitched or damaged dress followed by smaller one leading around or below the larger applique. Another would be to sew exquisite small buttons on a damaged location in a bunch, perhaps in a floral or geometric pattern.
ReplyDeleteYou are to be applauded because my "Miss Takes" are stored in a box somewhere in my attic. If anyone at this site knows of a group the repurposes clean fabric and clothing, please send me a link or message. I could possibly offer a month's supply.