Abaya/Long Modest Dress Alterations Guide
Part 2 - Adjusting Fit of Abaya/Modest Dress
You found the abaya you have been looking for! Its design is just like you wanted! The length is perfect! All your favorite elements are there except the abaya/dress is too tight or too loose!
It does not fit you like you prefer. Do you buy it? Or let it go and regret you
did not buy it. You later think you could have made some adjustments if you had
it.
In this 6-posts series, the topics are:
- Adjusting Abaya Length (shorten/lengthen)
- Adjusting Abaya Fit (too tight/too loose)
- Adjusting Sleeves Length and Fit
- How to insert Zipper in Abaya
- How to add Pockets in Abaya
- How to Embellish Abaya and Modest Dress
In today’s post, I will show you How to Adjust Fit of Abaya. You can make it fit, you can make it loose depending on your requirements. Wearing too-fit or too-loose abaya does not feel good. Its fit should be such as to not reveal body shape and not to look like a sack that is hard to manage.
Abaya Alterations Part 2: Abaya Fit Issues
Things You Will Need:
- Abaya or Dress that needs adjustment
- Matching Thread
- Measuring Tape
- Tailor's Chalk
- Scissors
- Straight Pins
How to Fit Baggy Abaya
- First, you can measure on yourself.
- For this, wear Abaya and see in mirror how much you should fit from each side. Measure in inches. Measure for chest, waist, hips, and hem.
- Turn abaya inside out.
- Mark according to your measurements.
2. Other and easier way is to use an existing abaya that fits you perfectly.
- Turn your baggy abaya inside out and lay flat down on floor.
- Place your well-fit abaya on top of it matching center line of both abayas.
- Mark on bottom abaya, following lines of top one.
- Your abaya is ready to be sewn.
Sewing:
- Pin on sewing lines so it does slip and slide while sewing.
- Sew on your marking. Backstitch in beginning and end to secure stitching.
- Wear and check if its ok.
- Press the seam. Trim the extra fabric to half inch.
- Overlock/serge if you have serger. If not, use zigzag stitch to enclose raw edges.
- Press from outside too turning seam to one side.
How to Loosen up Tight Abaya/Modest Dress
Things You Will Need:
- Abaya or Dress that needs adjustment
- Matching Thread
- Scissors
- Straight Pins
- Matching or Contrasting Fabric
- Seam Ripper
How to do it:
If you need to loosen your abaya and there is not
enough fabric inside, then you will have to add more fabric. It is a bit tricky
but not difficult. A piece of fabric will be sewn in both side seams. You can
also add a piece on back if there is little adjustment needed. It will also
serve as a design element.
You can use matching or contrasting fabric
depending on the look you want.
To do this:
- Open-up side seams with the help of seam ripper from armhole to hemline.
- Unpick hem from seams slightly.
- Measure the length and width needed and cut strip or triangle of fabric with 1" extra for seam allowance.
I did this alteration for a friend.
- I added two pieces, although it could be done in one piece. You can add a pleat like this beneath armhole if you do not want to tackle triangle piece.
For a pictorial, click on the link below.
https://swoodsonsays.com/how-to-add-fabric-to-a-shirt-to-make-it-bigger/
- Sew hem of same size as your abaya. Sew an inch over the old hem stitch line. Press and flaunt your new Abaya or Dress!
Happy Sewing,
Rabeea 🧵✂👚
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