Abaya Alterations Part 6 - How to Embellish or Refashion Abaya or Modest Dress

 

Abaya/Modest Dress Alterations Guide

Part 6 - How to Embellish or Refashion Abaya/Modest Dress

Modest Dresses are easily available in shops. But sometimes they are too plain. In this post, I will guide you how you can turn a Boring, Plain Abaya or Modest Dress into a Trendy one! Using same techniques, you can also revamp an old abaya and give it a new look!

This post is Part 6 of Abaya/Modest Dress Alterations Series.

In this 6-posts series, the topics are:

1. Adjusting Abaya Length (shorten/lengthen)
2. Adjusting Abaya Fit (too tight/too loose)
3. Adjusting Sleeves Length and Fit
4. How to Insert Zipper in Abaya
5. How to Add Pockets in Abaya
6. How to Embellish Abaya/Modest Dress

How to Embellish Abaya or Modest Dress

Things You Will Need:

• Abaya that needs adjustment
• Trims/Lace/Pearls/Beads/Brooch
• Matching Thread
• Measuring Tape
• Tailor's Chalk
• Scissors
• Straight Pins
• Fabric Glue

(looking to buy any of above sewing tools in Jeddah? Click here to see the List)

• Sewing Machine (don't have a sewing machine yet? Here is where you can buy one in Jeddah)

How to Do It!

Embellishing with Trims

Sewing pretty trims is a great choice to turn a boring abaya into trendy one. They can also be used to hide some worn out areas like sleeves.

 A friend of mine gave me an abaya to refashion as the some diamantes on it had come off. It didn't look good to be worn. 

First I took off as many diamantes as I could. Then I covered all those areas with a Silver and Gray trim from my stash. I sewed it on sleeves, front opening and inserted a zipper. Doesn’t it look so much better now? It sure did! My friend was surprised to see the transformation!

Embellishing with Lace

I bought this Modest Dress from Annahhariri.com years ago. But I hardly wore it. It looked stylish in photos but looked too plain when I wore it. To transform it, I found a beautiful lace at Alesayi Exo(link can be found here)

I have used Fabric Glue to paste this lace on Sleeves and Skirt Hem. Fabric Glue is a good option if the lace is too delicate to sew by hand or machine. 

Note: read the instructions on glue and test it on scrap of lace on fabric first. Wash it as directed to see if it works or not. You don't want to apply it directly on your dress and later get disappointment if it comes off. 

Front and Back View of Modest Dress after applying Lace. 

Tip: Add same lace to scarf too.

Embellishing with Pearls, Beads and Buttons

Laces and Trims not your things? Try beads, Pearls or Buttons instead! 

photo courtesy of Salma Jahanzaib(full description and photo of her abaya in link below)

photo courtesy of a Sewing Friend

Photo courtesy of Sewing Friend

photo courtesy of Salma Jahanzaib(full description and photo of her abaya in link below)

Embellishing with Brooches

If you are pressed on time and do not want to do any work, then Buy Brooches and pin on your Abaya or Modest Dress! Instant Transformation, girl!

photo courtesy of a Sewing Friend

photo courtesy of a sewing friend

Abaya Transformations!

I have invited my good friend Salma Jahanzaib to cover this topic. She is pro at turning plain pieces into Stylish ones. We ask her from where did she get it from?
Click here to see her Abaya Transformation Post on Instagram. She is explaining how she revamps her abayas and dresses.

Here are the many ways to Embellish Abayas and Modest Dress using different materials. Which one you liked the best? Is there any other way you do? Please share in comments section. That is the end of Abaya/Modest dress alterations series. Is there any topic that I missed? Do you want to learn anything else on alterations? Let me know in comments.

Happy Embellishing,

Rabeea 🧵✂👚