Stitching an abaya from your own fabric

What makes a good abaya fabric

An abaya is a long outer garment, worn for hours and often in heat, so the fabric has to drape, breathe and cover well. As general guidance, these are the qualities to look for; send photos and we confirm whether your fabric suits the design you want.

• Opacity: hold it to a window. An abaya fabric should not show your hand through a single layer, unless you plan a lining or a deliberately sheer overlay.
• Drape: soft, fluid fabrics such as crepe and the smooth weave often sold as nida fall straight and move well. Stiffer fabrics suit structured, coat-style shapes better.
• Weight: light enough to wear comfortably in summer heat, heavy enough not to cling or blow about. Jacquard and textured weaves add interest without embroidery.
• Crease recovery: crumple a corner for a few seconds. A fabric that creases badly after you sit down will look tired by the end of the day.

Is there enough fabric?

An abaya uses a long length, and how long depends on your height, the cut and the sleeves. A full-length abaya for a tall woman with wide butterfly sleeves needs far more than a straight, closed abaya with narrow sleeves for a petite one. Measure your fabric flat, length and width, and send the numbers with your photos and measurements; our guide to checking you have enough fabric explains how. We confirm the quantity before you post anything.

The measurements to send

Enter them on the quote form in centimetres or inches. The most important is your full length, measured from the top of the shoulder to the floor while wearing the shoes you usually wear with an abaya, so it neither drags nor stops short. Add your bust, waist and hip, shoulder width, sleeve length and the width you like around the wrist.

If you already own an abaya with a length and ease you like, measure it flat as well. Our size guide and the measuring help page show where each measurement is taken.

Design choices to ask for

Abaya styles vary widely. Treat all of these as things to ask for in your quote, and we confirm what is possible on your fabric and design. Our guide to modest dressing has more on balancing sleeves and lengths.

• Front: open, closed or wrap.
• Cut: straight, flared, or a wide butterfly shape that drapes from the arms.
• Sleeves: narrow, straight, wide or cuffed.
• Pockets: side-seam pockets are handy for everyday wear; see adding pockets.
• Embroidery: on the cuffs, front edges or hem. Send a photo of the look you like.
• Matching pieces: an inner dress, trousers or a scarf can be quoted together with the abaya.

Sending your fabric and getting your abaya

Upload photos of the fabric and a picture or sketch of the abaya on the Stitching Only quote form. Once we confirm the fabric, the quantity and how to send it, you approve the written quote and pay in full. Production takes 5 to 7 working days from the day your fabric reaches us, and your abaya is shipped with delivery and any import charges included.

In the Gulf you choose USD, EUR or GBP for your quote. See Stitching Only in the UAE, our Dubai page or Stitching Only in Saudi Arabia for local notes.