How to Make an Abaya

Instructions

• 1

  Take accurate measurements of the body. Measure the length from one wrist to another, placing the tape measure behind your shoulders and the back of your head. Make sure that the arms are raised to shoulder level to make it easier to get accurate measurements. Cut your fabric at a width that is twice the value measured. The width represents your height; you need a fabric that is long enough to cover you up from your neck down to your feet. Take 45-inch wide fabric and sew it together until you get the desired length if you can't find a fabric that is wide enough.

• 2

  Fold the fabric as show in the diagram below. You want to fold the two sides toward the center but you have to leave a gap that is wide enough for your head in the middle. You can measure a 10 to 12-inch gap. The wrong side of the fabric should show on the outside. Sew the seams on the upper part where your head is supposed to go. You want to sew an at least an inch from the edge of the seams. Fold it out once you're done.

• 3

  Cut a small circular hole on both upper corners of the abaya. This is where your hands will go. Sew the seams an inch from the edge to finish it.

• 4

  To add sleeves, measure the length of your arm from the edge of your shoulder to the tip of your middle finger. For the width, take the circumference of your arm, providing enough allowance to create a loose sleeve. Cut the fabric so that the width is twice the circumference of your arm. Sew the seams together, creating an inch seam allowance, and then attach to the abaya. Do the same for the other arm.

• 5

  Finish the abaya by trimming the edges and adding fasteners along the length. Sew the fasteners and add bias binding or ribbon around the edges.