My View on the Layered Look

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Nice color but can I get everything a little longer, please? 

 

Seriously, I do not how much time, money and effort it takes to layer on stuff that is too tight or thin plus to make a voluminous, multi-scarf hijab yet I know that it simpler to be practical. I'm a khimar/abaya/mini jubah Muslimah, so my selection centers around clothes that are easy to match, to pray in, to express individuality and to look decent. 

Plus it's something I can wear with grace even when I'm old as dirt, insha'allah. 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, yet in Islam, it's under the garments. Muslimahs are supposed to focus more on their deen than their looks. To non-Muslims, we are supposed to appear modest (read the tafseer of 24:31), well-groomed and in good taste with our clothes unless it's the Eids, then we shine. 

After you have kids, it's a totally different game. Unless you have the time & money, the game is getting a variety of looks from a wardrobe that is quick and simple to put on. You don't want to invest alot into a look that is destroyed by children in seconds and the everyday of battle against wear&tear. 

That's just my opinion. 

The problem with the layered look is that it appears very impractical and "thrown together". It's as if they took one garment that was too tight or too short and tried to save it by using other garments. Then to top the layered look off, a high end hijab wrap fit for a model and the Muslimah is wearing it to Walmart. Once again very impractical and pointless.

So my point is, insha'allah, trendy Muslimahs can buy or put effort into unsuccessful layered look then why not just buy a decent abaya or kameez salwar or mini jubah and save themselves some money and time. When Muslim women wear clothes outside, those clothes are supposed to cover our figures and present us as Muslims. We are not supposed to look like non-Muslims wearing over-sized turbans and half of our closets.

I can understand that some Muslimahs came into this deen with alot of non-Muslim clothes that are now unusable however what's the point in layering stuff that make the Muslimah look as through her closet regurgitated on her. 

Undercover Muslim Rant

An "undercover" Muslim is a Muslim who basically avoid the requirements of Islam to fit in with the Western culture. They don't wear hijab or greet other Muslims or do anything that would let people know that they are Muslims. It's a two-way street of annoyance, undercover Muslims get their feelings hurt when they don't get their rights from other Muslims. And other Muslims get angry when undercover Muslims get embarrassed or look down on them just because they have assimilated into the culture.

However I really don't appreciate the outcasting or not getting salaams just because they feel uncomfortable with their Muslim identity. I don't get the respect I deserve from non-Muslims yet I don't compromise my way of life for their approval. And I would never look down on undercover Muslims for not being like me on the account that Allah SWT is testing me differently from them plus I don't know their lives like that.

I know that somebody will, insha'allah, respond:"Well, everyone practices their faith in their own way."

My reply: What does being cowardly about your own faith has to do with practicing it correctly?

I'm sorry, yet to me, it's like a nun getting mad at people thinking she's not a nun because she is dressed like a regular woman. And everyone practically knows how nuns should dress and everyone has some idea about the modesty stated in the Bible.

That nun has an obligation to her Lord and the same goes for the Muslims.

Al-'Ankabut - 29:2

"Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. (Al-'Ankabut 29:2)"

Allah SWT Test the Muslims by their level of faith. Every Muslim is tested differently and Allah SWT looks for sincerity and commitment from His followers to distinguish the lying from the sincere. Example being the rich Muslim's wealth is a test just as the poor Muslim's lack of wealth is their test.

One would think that to be a committed Muslim that one would have to follow what has been set in the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet pbuh not the desires of Mankind & themselves.

Yes, that means that a fellow Muslimah may be harassed by the local police for wearing niqab.

Or a Muslim brother maybe looked down upon for having to step away for prayer during work.

Or a Muslimah is rejected from getting a job because she wants to wear her hijab.

Yet it's part of the program. We have ran across this situation several times in the Quran and the Sound Hadith so there is really no surprise. And one never knows the rewards of having patience and being sincere when Allah SWT Tests us. Sometimes what we see as a horrible test can be the best thing for us. Allah SWT Knows us better than we know ourselves. The sister who is harassed may bring others into Islam, the brother may be rewarded with a better job position or the sister may find a much better job. And that's just on the worldly level.

And this is because Allah SWT Loves the Sincere and the Patient.

All of this is very sad but as Muslims, we should have some idea of the obligations and tests of our religion. We can't say we are Muslims and try to dodge our religious obligations just because we want the approval of others and money without the consequences. Muslims who do dodge what Allah SWT Has Decreed are really missing out on the benefits of enriching their faith and getting great rewards for doing small things like greeting other Muslims even if they don't greet back or not of their status/nationality.

Mini Jubah

It's time to stitch myself some new threads.
Again. 
And I have not forgotten about my daughter and husband.
My plan is to make a mini jubah outfit for myself. A mini jubah is a garment worn by Malaysian Muslim women. They are usually knee length and come in an array of colors, fabrics and styles.

    
                                           

Formal or Work
(photo from Kakchik's Wardrobe)

Casual (photo from Into Cheqta's Closet) 

My casual mini jubah is inspired from a maternity blouse with an empire waist and ruffles. I have sketch out some basic ideas. Empire waisted tunics and dresses are my best friends. They are comfortable and suitable for hijab because the waist falls under the breast which is covered by the hijab then the skirt conceals the hips. Some people say that the empire waist makes women look like they are pregnant but that's because the lady choose an empire waisted garment that had too much gathering in the front. An empire-waisted garment with alot of gathering in front is cool for maternity wear whereas pleats look much better for the front for non-pregnant ladies. 

I also wanted to try out this great little DIY back in the 70's book: The Illustrated Hassle-Free Make Your Own Clothes Book by Sharon Rosenberg & Joan Wiener. I found it at a local bookstore for $3 and it's simple & sweet to follow. The author is very laid back in explaining her projects. Terms like groovy, cat and funky are used. So insha'allah, you get this book, please read it before starting any project. 

My friend gave the fabric years ago and I have now figured out what to do with it. 

I love me some ruffles, so I'm adding some to my tunic. 

Here is a very long strip (about 80" inches) of black fabric that I have prepared for ruffling. I used my serger to narrow hem the raw edges. What I like about the narrow hemming is that it gives the strip more texture and body. Ruffles are a good way to use up your fabric scraps and a simple method to personalize almost anything.

Insha'allah more updates soon. 

Snow in Chattanooga

After two days of warnings and people wiping out the milk, bread, and snow shovels at the stores: We have snow.
It's so beautiful and powdery in the morning light. Awesome colors of cool oranges, subtle purples, and shimmering golds. I am waiting for the daylight to see the mountains. My daughter wanted play in it and hubby & I were like: no. We were able to compromise down to watching hubby clearing the snow from the van & driveway while she throws handfuls of snow at me.

A view of my street

In Need of Blogging Advice

First, I would like to ask my fellow bloggers about overcoming the humbleness of journaling about your projects.
What I mean is that I trying to post more but I keep talking myself out of it.
Do you guys have any tips?

Abaya Revamp 2

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: 

From Umm Ibrahim--Her Post on the Cool Hooded Overhead Abaya

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.

Where Have I Been...

I have been settling into the groove of Chattanooga, Tennessee. I LOVE this city, it's busy enough you to do something to do but small enough to not feel overwhelmed. I have been learning where the sewing shops, thrift stores and good eats are. I have meet alot of Muslims on the way.
I have not been blogging lately because I still trying to find some direction.
I like sewing yet who doesn't.
Then I ran across this:

Plus sized Clothing can be done.
Then the light bulb came get: I could blog about plus size sewing for Muslims and non-Muslims.

I look forward to posting tips on my Eid Adha abaya, insha'allah.