Custom abayas for Qatar: sending your fabric from Doha

Step one: check what you have

An abaya uses more fabric than most outfits, because it is long and often full. Before you contact us, find out:

• Length: measure the whole piece in metres or yards, end to end.
• Width: measure from selvedge to selvedge. A narrow fabric needs much more length for the same abaya; our fabric widths guide explains why.
• Fibre and weight: if the label or seller told you, note it. If not, describe how it feels and drapes.
• Pattern direction: a one-way print or a border may need extra fabric to line up properly.
• Any lining or trim: if you have bought these too, measure them.

Step two: send photos and your design

Photograph the fabric in daylight, flat and draped, with a close-up of the weave and the back. Our guide to photographing fabric for a quote shows exactly what helps. Add your measurements and a description or photo of the abaya you want: open or closed, sleeve style, length, pockets, lining.

We then confirm whether the fabric suits that design and whether there is enough of it. If there is not, we suggest a different shape or a contrast panel, and nothing is posted until you agree.

If the fabric is a little short

It happens often: a beautiful piece is simply not long or wide enough for the full, floor-length abaya you pictured. Before you give up on it, there are usually workable options, and we suggest the ones that suit your fabric:

• A slimmer shape: a straight cut needs noticeably less fabric than a wide, flared one.
• A contrast panel or yoke: a coordinating plain fabric at the shoulders, sleeves or side panels stretches the main piece.
• Contrast cuffs or facings: small pieces in a second fabric free up length for the body.
• A shorter sleeve or hem: an ankle-length hem instead of floor length can make the difference.

Step three: posting it to us

Stitching Only has two separate shipping stages. First, you send the fabric to Pakistan using the arrangements we confirm with you; that shipment is yours to arrange unless the quote says otherwise. Second, once the abaya is made, we ship it back to your address. Our guide to posting your fabric covers packing and labelling.

Production, 5 to 7 working days, begins once the quote is approved and paid in full and your fabric has reached us. Return shipping time is extra and varies.

Currency, payment and delivery

Customers in Qatar choose a quote in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling, and pay in full in advance by bank transfer, Wise or a card payment link. The return delivery to your Qatar address, with any import duties, taxes and customs or courier fees, is included in the quote, so there is nothing to pay when it arrives. If you cancel a paid Stitching Only order before cutting, nothing is deducted for fabric, because the fabric is yours.

No fabric yet?

If you would rather not source fabric, the Qatar Fabric + Stitching page explains how we supply it instead. Women in Doha and across the country can start either route from the Qatar stitching quote form. Our custom abaya page summarises both options.