I was to post this tutorial so long ago while I was pregnant but I kept sticking with putting it together. And I should have because I didnt do my best job with editting down the footage given that I am juggling everything I do with taking care of my two month old - he is certainly growing! has gotten very fat and sweet, and has just started cooing and looking at things. and of course homeschool has started back with his big sister. coupled with Ila Designs and running the home, Ive got my hands full like many other RasTa Mamas.
but I find the tutorial is still easy to follow - perfect as a summer dress or a beach overall dress, or as a maternity and breastfeeding dress.
I made this cute little babydoll styled T Shirt dress for Nile for Afrikan Liberation. It is a great and simple tutorial that can be changed up in so many ways! I have a tutorial to come on another style I did with a sash and circle skirt.Once you do this dress one time, you will be hooked and can make so many dresses. You can use an old or new T shirt and cut it and attach the skirt also instead of making a tee from scratch. But as you will see making the Tee is very simple!
I really want to get making some things for my new prince! He will be arriving soon in early August!
Have a blessed Sabbath one and all!
Senbet Selam!
Ila
I found out yesterday that I am having a son and we are so excited! All this time not knowing it seems so strange to finally know it is a prince inside there. But this pregnancy has been sooooo different from the first it is suiting that it is another gender. Now it is time to really find a name!
This is a refashion DIY that I have had for months and months that I finally remembered to post up.
Make a dress, halter or skirt into a high-waisted maxi skirt that has an elastic belt. I love this style as you can see I made about 4 different skirts.
This is a simple beginner tutorial that is fast and allows you to get creative with your wardrobe. It is a dress refashion. You can make almost any type of dress with a plain ole maxi skirt.
I need some more house dresses that fit a pregnant belly and saw the perfect opportunity with this skirt that I rarely wear.
Hope you like this DIY project!
I hope all Sistren are feeling upfull and bright these days. It is important to have your own time where you can create, Iditate, make decisions or just read or try something new. Time for self is really a healing time and restful time for the body, because it isn't about stress, but about things that make the I happy! As you know, for me it is sewing, crocheting, reading and going to the spring that really mellow my vibes right out! So if sewing is also one your "me-time activities" then you should love this simple tutorial to create an elegantly casual jersey dress.
This tutorial explains how to create a different neckline for the tank maxi dress and draw string dress. very basic and easy! Hope you like it!
I think I am pretty much the maxi-dress queen at this point! What else do I make but maxi dresses? And I have more styles that I want to try as soon as I get the fabric too! But I don't mind, an Empress is royal and free in her style and I love that a maxi dress can give you that flowing goddess feel no matter how you style it.
So don't be surprised that I've been making so many because they are also fabulous for pregnancy! I made two new ones recently out of jersey fabric. I redid my kaftan dress in a new fabric (my most popular post to date is that kaftan tutorial) and I know that you can also call it a Tshirt dress if you use the small little sleeve or simply trace a tshirt. IT has a T shirt style to it, but it really is just a kaftan maxi dress.
I decided to just make a simple video tutorial with not too much detail but I outline the basic way to make a kaftan as a T shirt dress which is ideal for summer spring or pregnancy! you can use the post for the kaftan dress if you need more help. the good thing about this tutorial is that you can either use a t shirt or use your measurements!
You can purchase my hemp braided belt at www.etsy.com/shop/iladesigns!
First I give thanks for the blessed selabration time, when I and I acknowledge His Majesty's visit to Trinidad, Jamaica and Barbados. I hope every I was able to do something special or attend a binghi!
I myself just had a quiet family day, didnt make it to selabrations this year. Just can't do the late nights like before!
Before continuing, the RASTAWIFELINE GROUP IS UP ON FACEBOOK! Yay! finally we are live, so the reasoning and sharing of pictures, recipes and your own personal Iditations and Inspirations and questions can flow! hope to see you there sistren! please ask to join the group.
I made this tutorial also yesterday but didn't get to post it up til now. I been trying to make some comfortable dress for maternity but also to escape the horrible heat that we are currently having in Trinidad. I received an email from old navy which has been one of the only brands I;ve ever worn since a teenager. and I was looking at all the lovely maxi dresses and prints they have right now.
And it occurred to me that I have come so far, in that I more make my own clothes than buy them. I only buy underwear or tank tops. I make all my skirts and dresses myself, and if they are not of jersey they are of Afrikan print. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to make your own garments, but to also represent who you are and your style everyday. I like flowing maxi dresses and skirts with a top or shrug/jacket - that's my basic style in just different prints.
RasTafari is a Livity where everyday we are RasTafari, showing our faith in our appearance as much as in our words and deeds. To feel positive and to feel complete as a Sistren, dressing in the way of your faith or Afrikan heritage is as important as wrapping the crown or eating ital. RasTafari must give all Sistren a sense of royal confidence, wisdom, power and security. I personally feel like dressing myself, daughter and kingman is an important aspect of my identity as an Empress, makes me feel like I am really setting a good foundation. So I encourage all Sistren to pick up the sewing skill as well as crocheting skill. If you have to save for that machine, then start saving! you can do it. All answers you need for lessons can be found in a friend or online on youtube. And trust me when I say you will be adequately and joyfully fulfilled by such a venture. Creativity gives much joy and positive energies to the body and Irit, truly priceles no matter what your creative outlet is.
So here's another tube dress, this time with a frill. very simple and straightforward.
Here's the link for the tube shrug. I used quiana fabric which is similar to jersey for this brown tube.
I finally made something that you can wear out for a date night with your KingMan or to a special occasion, the first dress I ever made for myself was in this style, especially because I hate sleeves - in the tropics you need to be cool! But because I personally don't really wear tubes anymore without a jacket or scarf as I matured in the livity, I stopped making them, so this is the first Roots Dawta Dress Ive made in a lonnngg time. Im pretty pleased with how it came out. I styled it without a shoulder covering so you could see it properly, but do check the tutorials on how to make the Ises wrap and the Shrug so that you can be appropriately covered if going to a formal Rastafari gathering.
This dress can also double as a skirt, but because of the inside zigzag stitching, doing that is up to you since it will show through - your thread would have to be an exact match and the top part probably in black for you to pull it off properly. or I can recommend making two side seams for the jersey top instead of one seam at the back, and then sewing the elastic into the seams one time at the halfway mark. that way you wont have any zigzag stitches to hide.
So I am going to be making some maternity wear as my clothes are beginning to get a little tight in certain areas - not the belly yet tho. This tutorial is on how to make yourself a basic traditional kaftan dress, African style. It's very simple and does not have any extra style or embellishment - you can use this tutorial to make sabbath clothing, home clothing, knockaround or maternity clothing. I would recommend 3 yards of fabric for this one. happy sewing!
