How to Sew a Maxi Skirt with Pockets Tutorial

Blessed Love

 I wanted to make an all denim skirt for a while, but out of actual jeans. Then I bought some stretch denim for another project and decided last minute to do the maxi skirt tutorial using that. Then I found a great pocket tutorial here and yay I get to do a maxi in denim with pockets!

Use whatever fabric you want really - it can be afrikan print because this particular tutorial is not really for knit fabrics, it doesn't matter and the tutorial is just the standard for making a maxi - just sew straight down if you don't want pockets.

How to make a maxi skirt with pockets
or the Homemade denim skirt

Materials:

1 ½ inch elastic

Stretch Denim or other Fabric

Pocket fabric

Thread

Yard rule

Chalk

Scissors

Pins

Sewing machine

iron

1. Determine your skirt height with a measuring tape, then add 4 inches.

2. Cut off the excess height of material.

3. Take your hip or buttocks measurement, divide by 2 and add 2 inches. This is the width of the skirt. Mine is 19.

4. Fold fabric in half: Divide this figure by 2 again and mark it out from the fold, which was 9.5 inches.





5.  The fold is on the right. Use the rule and chalk to make a triangle coming down on both sides> be sure not to put too much of a slant because this will give problems in making a smooth elastic casing and hemline. Pin the fabric together and cutout the skirt panels.

 

 

 6. Cut out your pockets:

Fold pocket fabric twice so you will cut out 4 pieces at once. Put your hand down on the fabric and draw a half-heart shape around it. Pin and cut out the heart shape, make sure to cut a straight line along the fold to make the pieces 4 separate ones. The fold is the straight side where the pocket is joined to the skirt, so cut well.

7. Zigzag all the edges of skirt and pockets.


8. With right side of one skirt panel facing up, on both sides mark 6 inches down from the top of the skirt. Get one of the four pocket pieces and carefully line it up along the edge of the skirt panel, edge to edge. The pocket will be on the inside of the skirt. Do the other side and repeat for the next skirt panel also.

Tip: In order to make sure the pockets line up, use the first panel, pin it at the bottom of the second panel at the very top, lining up edges. Then pin the pockets for the secon panelfrom there.

9. Make what I’ve been told is called a “bead stitch” which is very close, but not too close, to the edge of the skirt, joining the pocket to skirt. Just set your stitch width to be close to the right side of the presser foot. Do this for all the pockets.

10. Press out those 4 seams, making the pockets now stick outside the skirt.

11. Place and pin the skirt panels together, right sides together. Pin the pockets also.

 

 

 12. Now mark in the ½ inch seam lines – if you need to, at the sides of the skirt – including the pockets.

 

13. Sew the seam lines. It will be one continuous seam with a bit of turning and lifting the presser foot to enter and leave the pocket area. It is not one line down but around the pocket.

In order to sew up the left side, I started at the bottom and came up with no problem.

 
14. Iron out the side seams.

15. Next make the elastic casing – turn the top over about 2 inches, and sew using a straight stitch. Leave a gap, and then insert the elastic with a safety pin into that gap.

 Zigzag the edges of the elastic, fix inside the casing and seal up that space in the waist band seam.

16. Make your hemline by pressing in two ½ or ¼ inch folds, pin and sew in place.
I left my hem raw because I only added 3 inches to my length and I wanted my skirt long. I want it to fray too.
(If you don’t have a wide belt you might need to make a tie)

Finished!
Now you have a DIY homemade denim skirt if you used denim like I did.

So I tried styling the skirt with all the different products I make through ila designs - the bracelets, necklace, earrings, belts, crochet bags, the Royal Tee shirt and of course the maxi (which I usually make in afro colours)

 pockets!

Here's one of my latest bags which coordinates with many pieces in my 2012 Goddess Collection
~ The Dawta Bag ~

I hope the Sistren who sew and will attempt to make their pockets and/or maxi skirts ~ using Sweet Verbena's great method of course ~ will soon forward some pictures to either my facebook or my email so I can post it up.

 ~ Ila

Foundation Nyahbinghi Daughter Guidelines

Greetings and Blessed Love

I hope the Sistren are doing well and managing all daily tasks well. Some days are indeed harder than others, but I and I must never lose faith, and trust in JAH to help and carry us through until we can stand on our own and achieve or overcome. Today's tribulations might not be as bad as tomorrow's so we must give thanks and never be bitter or angry. Through JAH RasTafari all things are possible!

That being said, since the Queen Omega Livity Principles was such a popular post, I decided to post an old summary for the Nyahbinghi Daughter which I've had for years, from a site no longer running. I see that there are other sites where the same information can be found, but slightly different.

So for those Sistren interested in knowing more specifics about the Queen Omega Livity Principles that the elders of RasTafari set long ago, I give this summary:

Guidelines for Nyahbinghi Daughter


1. The Nyahbinghi woman must abide by Emperor Haile Selassie I Ivine laws.

2. During I-semble, the Nyahbinghi women are responsible for the teaching of the children with special emphasis on the Amharic languages, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, Black History and other aspects of Rastafari Ivine livety.

3. She is not permitted to administrate around the altar or to prophecy before the congregation. A Nyahbinghi queen does not play the drums at an I-semble but does play the SHAKA (Shaker) or TIMBREL. She may participate in governmental administration, as in the taking of minutes, writing/reading of letters or any other works she is capable of doing, as seen by the House. She should also strive to improve her livity and skills/education so that she may be of greater strength to the Theocracy of Emperor Haile Selassie I and the family.

4. She must be attired in modest apparel at all times and must not wear pants or revealing garments. Her head must be covered during an I-semble or when congregating among the brethren or outside her gates.

5. As H.I.M. is the Head of the Nyahbinghi Order, the Nyahbinghi queen must recognise her kingman as her head. She must be loyal to her king head in all things concerning righteousness and at all times. If there is a misunderstanding between her and her king man, the matter should be brought before the priest or the Council of Elders who will deal with the matter privately and constructively.

6. During her monthly issue (period of 7 days), the Nyahbinghi queen does not attend, I-semble or congregate among the brethrens.

7. When the Nyahbinghi queen brings forth a prince, she should stay away from an I-semble for a period of 3 months. If she brings forth a princess, she should stay away for a period of 4 months.

8. The Nyahbinghi woman must abstain from whoredom, adultery, fornication and all sinful acts that are an abomination to the Most High. She should keep her temple clean, refraining from use of flesh, drugs, alcohol and all harmful articles of food that are forbidden. The wearing of jewelry is not forbidden but the piercing of the ears is against the will of JAH. The plaiting of locks is forbidden as it is written in the book of II Peter 3: 3, "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair."

9.The Nyahbinghi woman is nonviolent, non-abusive and non- partisan. She must also be free from all corruption as a true daughter of JAH Rastafari.

Selah!
Ila

How to Roll Iration for Sacrament

Blessed Love Royal Daughters of King Alpha and Queen Omega,

Today's post is a DIY for using the holy herb.
I know it is not just a traditional part of I and I Livity, but an Iritual and emotional part. Sacrament is how I and I reason, enlighten, seek, find, rejoice, Iditate, relax, conversate with one another. It personally gives I a lot of energy and clarity of thinking which I apply to my works. I have Iritually grown and evolved because of the hola use of sacrament - something that comes with maturity and raspect for the hola herb itself

Did you know that smoking in that regular thick white bamboo paper makes your lips black?
In fact, burning in paper on the whole messes up your mouth - the lips get dry and peel, turn colours, hurt. With tobacco in the mix your teeth get brown and breath gets messed up!

That's why it's better to roll in hemp paper or in rice paper.

But it's even better for your mouth, lips and lungs if you use a natural paper - some use dry corn leaf, banana leaf or cured tobacco leaf. But the Bobo Shanty mansion especially in Jamaica and Trinidad, use the bois canon or trumpet tree leaf to make "Iration." As the herb is also from creation, it makes the best natural and holy sarament spliff. Bacco is still toxic to the body even if not smoked in cigarette.
Iration doesn''t make your lips black or peel. It also makes your Iditation stronger than when burning in paper. Every I that has taken sacrament in the Iration has noted the difference and lightness of it, how much more one tastes the herb and truly feels the effects of the ganjah. It can be like using the hola chalice. The heaviness of paper smoke becomes clear. Being a leaf that is used for an array of medicinal reasons, burning in Iration also boosts the immune system and keeps away the cold.

I want to present my first ever video production which is a tutorial on how to cure the leaf to make Iration. If you are in Caribbean, look out for it the next time you are in the country.
I used Windows Live Movie Maker and just  loved how simple it was to put this together without help. Being my first attempt it's not perfect but I am still a little proud :) I hope to do more videos in the future.
Make sure to like it on YouTube!:

How to Make Iration

RasTafari Love!
Ila

How to Sew a Kaftan Dress or Gown

Greetings!

I have finally been able to complete a tutorial for the Sistren - something very simple yet elegant that suits all occassions.

 Materials

2 yards 58 inch Jersey/heavy knit fabric

Polyester thread in matching colour

90/14 or equivalent ball point machine needle

Sewing machine

Pins

Scissors

Chalk

Yard stick

If you have a overlocking machine or serger, even better, because I certainly find it a bit rough to sew with jersey! As you can see my lines arent so perfect but hey! Wear what you sew and be proud! :)


To make a kaftan is very simple – the easiest, most conservative yet most versatile style you can begin to sew with. It was the first dress I taught myself how to make, before I discovered the many tutorials and sewing blogs online(which inspired me to start this blog for RasTa Sistren). This kaftan can even shorten to make a shirt or a shorter dress. It can have a high split or two, it can have the side flaps or not. This tutorial is for one without the side flaps,which is more of a long tee shirt – I call it a gown.

This size I am making is a small- medium. It will fit a Sistren with hips up to 41 inches. This will give a loose fit, but the width can also be 2 inches smaller if a closer more body-hugging fit is desired. This method can be used on a dress of another material, but if it does not stretch like jersey sure to keep the 4 inches seam allowance for the hips and to also zigzag edges and make all the hems.


Measurements and formula:

***NEW Measurements for neckline!!***
Neckline = 6 inches wide by 6 inches deep (you can make it a higher or lower but this is just perfect)

Armhole length =8 inches

Length of Dress = desired length (from shoulder down)+ 1 inch

Or use the entire 58 inches if you are 5 ft 7 or taller or want to make a dress that buffs.

Width of Dress = Hip divided by 2 plus 4 (36/2 = 18 + 4 = 22)


Rectangle to cut is 58 inches long by 22 inches wide.


1. Fold the fabric right sides together, flat down and cut out at width and length. Pin in place.



2. From the top mark down ½ inch and draw a line straight across the top of the rectangle at ½ inch. This is the shoulder seam.

3. From the ½ inch line mark 8 inches down on either side, Then draw a line ½ inch in from the side edge of the rectangle to mark where the armhole and side seams of the dress will be. Draw these side lines down. Make a little curve under the up-sided down L shape at the armpit.

4. To mark the neckline, fold the dress in half side to side, chalk lines facing up. Measure 4 inches across the ½ inch shoulder seam line. Make a cut on the edge of the fabric where the 4 inches stops.

Unfold and make two dashes on the line under the cut.

From the shoulder seam line measure down the neckline depth and draw a short line across to mark the depth of the scoop.

5. Make sure your pins are where they need to be, and that the pattern is matched up if it has stripes or a border. Time to sew up the kaftan.
Using a wide straight stitch sew the ½ inch shoulder seam line first, making sure to reverse stitch over the two dashes where the neckline will be cut.

6. Sew up the sides seams next, making sure to reverse stitch at both ends. Don’t try to start at the very tip of the fabric, start a ¼ inch in, reverse stitch first, then go a little way until the curve starts. When the curve starts, leave the needle in the fabric, lift the presser foot and shift the fabric to the left so that the needle can continue following the curve on the line. I usually repeat this step when I am about to start sewing straight down the sides.

Note: Because you will be sewing on the curved line for the armpit, you have the choice to either start sewing from the hem and go up to the armpit, or start at the armpit which is what I did in the picture. It is just a matter of stopping and lifting the presser foot.

7. Next fold the dress in half again, with the chalk lines facing up and connect the neckline width to the depth line in the curve desired. Remember this method cuts both back and front the same, hence why it is important to decide how deep you want your neckline to be from the start.
(I made mine too deep in my dress.)

remember my neckline was too deep. the 6 inches will not look like this which more 8 inches

 

8. Fold and pin ½ inch hems on the neckline, armholes and hem.Using a wide straight stitch again, sew them in place. 

 

 

 

 You have the option to leave the heams undone, as it is knit. But if so, make sure to reinforce the neckline, and to also clip away the excess seam allowance from the edges of the neckline, sleeve and hemline.

 Finished!

 

A thin belt, a wide belt, no belt! A vest, a jacket, a beautiful bag! The possibilities are endless.

no belt as a gown (my personal preference since I cant find my wide belt)

 thin belt with high waist and slight buff:

with a bigger buff:

Blessed love!

Here it is in all black!

Be royal Sistren! Love thyself

Ila

Fasting

Greetings,

I know there are Sistren out there who are taking up various types of fasts for various reasons - whether it's a food fast or unhealthy habit or person or place fast. Fasting isn't easy, but it's worthwhile, so in the Irit of supporting the Sistren who are fasting, or are thinking of fasting, or want to know more about it, I offer another one of my writings from the Book of Ises:

(17) Fasting

Like Giving Ises in song, music and dance; fasting is one of the most powerful tools of the Irit against the Carnal body and carnal-minded mentalities. Fasting awakens a whole new relationship or gateway of communication between JAH and Man/Wombman; and empowers humanity with self-preservation and endurance in any entrapment or tribulation.

The Fetha Nagast says: “fasting is abstinence from food, and is observed by man at certain times determined by law, to attain forgiveness of sins and much reward, obeying thus the one who fixed the law. Fasting also serves to weaken the force of concupiscence so that the body may obey the rational soul” (Strauss 2002, 93).

This last sentence is a pinnacle tenet of fasting. Fasting is a method or double-edged sword used to gain Iritual strength, or energy to command the body and mind by the Irit’s Will of Righteousness. Fasting denies “My Self” to gain the “I Self.” This power is gained by the most important part of fasting which is to control the carnal appetite, with the rational mind or soul. The body is driven into a state of denial of all sustenance so it may resist the carnal appetite and temptation when it arises. Fasting is a personal vow to do better, as through fasting one forcefully purges the body of bad and unhealthy habits and mind-sets.

By fasting, basically the Irit conquers the carnal, or the God conquers the animal instinct. Fasting means that the false-ego and carnal appetite for anything unholy or unhealthy - like unhealthy foods and fetishes, gluttony, envy, revenge, fornication, acts of rage, hate, violence and crime - are severely brought under hand.

Fasting is preparation for the fight against temptation, craving, lusts, addictions and so on. Therefore fasting aims to deliver the mind and body from the temptations or physical pleasures of everything negative or sinful. After fast, one should be mentally and physically stronger, having built up Will over the body, so that I-Self can then be fed with more honourable, upright daily thoughts, habits and influences.

Next to the dreadlocks covenant, Ital Living is the biggest fast in RasTafari life. Ital requires that which is only good and natural to and for the body. Nothing foreign to the five elements of earth, air, water, fire and Irit – by which the Earth and Her children were formed – are to be imbibed or digested by the mind and body. Ital is an everyday Livity or way of life, but building up the longevity to live Ital can only come through the act of fasting and conscious denial of cravings and Babylonian culture.

Carrying out the conscious act of fast means that little food is eaten during and after fasting time. During fasting no food or water is taken, but after the allotted fasting time is over each day, some eat only fruits and vegetables natural juices and water, while some like Ethiopians take only a little bread and water. Usually meat and animal products are totally omitted during the season of fast for the Ethiopian Hebrew Nazirene. Ital takes that flesh fast into an everyday routine. Fasting can be used to help eliminate sweets, processed and bleached goods, meat and animal/dairy products from one's livity, obeying the Commandments to love all and refrain from killing.

Fasting therefore involves restricting our “diets” on two levels: no food is eaten until the allotted fasting hours or days are up; and bad foods are fasted from after the period of fasting is over because the mind and Irit have more will, knowledge and control over the carnal ego and addiction. Fasting is used to bring the body back to an Ital First Creation Perfection (Eden), where it is fed with only natural foods and utilizes its energy and mind optimally.

Fasting is therefore the act of purge or elimination – but the elimination of more than just unhealthy foods. Fasting is about eliminating negativity, unkindness; about confessing wrongs, baring one's shame in the Face of JAH. It is brings an overall washing and cleansing away of sins; emptying that negativity which is burdensome to self and others. The faithful eliminate and repent because they want forgiveness and a fresh start. The Ethiopian Orthodox fast regularly, suffering as Krist suffered in His honour; afflicting themselves so they can emotionally, physically and mentally draw closer to Him. When the conscience and body are made lighter by such fasting, one has room for reasoning and enlightenment. Instruction, guidance, forgiveness, light, love and positive vibrations of Kristos, JAH RasTafari may now flow in and be received by a ready mind and heart. Fasting in this sense kind of symbolizes a phoenix that rises in splendour from the ashes. It is ultimately therefore for a good cause to the faithful as it brings peace and joy to the mind, body and Irit.

In Scripture, it is evident that in addition to proclaiming or speaking one's Ises with song and poetry, the higher level of worship is fasting. Fasting is for those who are desperate for deliverance from tribulation, or simply want to praise the Lord and catch Yahweh’s/Jahovah’s/Yesus Kristos’ favour or prophetical guidance. Fasting was used by the Ancients in response to both the good and the bad; but more so it represented their hope and faith in deliverance. Fasting is thus the energy and action that accompanies our prayers, especially when we seek help or are repentant.

Fasting is thus the ritual of supplication. Drawing references, Daniel 9:3 says that fasting accompanies prayer and supplication. Psalm 35:13 mentions that fasting humbles our souls so our affliction is returned to us as a blessing. Joel 2:12 says that we should turn to JAH with all our heart, with fasting and mourning. Ezra, Mordecai and Esther showed that fasting is a part of any petition we carry to JAH through the Covenant, and is more powerful in unity and numbers. Every First Monday and Wednesday of the month is a fast in the Bobo Shanty house, and all come together in the camp to reason on the Ible, give Ises, partake of communal sacrament and share positive vibes and love with the youths. Communal Fast carries the peace and sanctity of Sabbath within.

The Nazirite Vow which is a major part of the Bobo priesthood, is a fast in itself, and was probably used during times of fasting in ancient Israel. One fasts from vanity by not cutting the hair, one fasts from defilement of the body and Irit with death or dead flesh, and one fasts from means of intoxication which invite lusts and sin. It is therefore fair to say that the entire trod of Rastafari, by the vow taken in growing the dreadlocks, is about fasting from Babylon every day. Fasting is a ritual professing and invoking the power of this separation from wickedness. Fasting is one of the ways to grow closer to His Imperial Majesty and to also ready and prepare ones to repatriate home as a New Jahrusalem – cleansed of the old ways of Babylon, no longer oppressed by the evils therein.

Ezra, who was responsible for one of the first major repatriations to the Old Jerusalem City, is a prophet that showed the importance of humility and gratitude for such favours by means of fasting and beseeching JAH with prayer. In his case, it was about asking JAH for some form of protection and guidance : “Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.” (Ezra 8:21-23).

Binding the Nazirite vow and ritual of fasting therefore is the pledge of humility before JAH. It certainly is an important character for one who is fasting to naturally possess. In fact, learning humility is a fast in itself because one is forced to be disciplined enough to enjoy less and be strong-willed against carnal, ungodly desire. In general, fasting achieves purity through Iritual education, humility and abstinence. Hence humility conquers vanity, and fasting also conquers vanity, even through a Nazirite vow. During the time of Ises and in fasting, it is mandatory that one's vanity or ego be checked. We do not need to be adorned with jewellery, shoes, watches, anything else ornamental, or money.

It is also important for ones to abstain from thinking of sex during worship and fasting - to tune out the carnal senses and focus only on the spiritual. It is not possible to praise the Living JAH Who asks us to be holy as He is holy; with intercourse, dwelling on physical appearances, money, flesh and blood like “pagans” are known for doing. Fasting is therefore an extension of the lifestyle of the Law, as Isra’el must be strong enough to consistently refrain from these lusts for prolonged periods. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church observes these same principles according to the Fetha Nagast:


"No one shall wear ornaments on those [fast] days; woman shall put aside their ornaments. Everyone must avoid lying down with his wife during the Lenten fast and the Holy Week, because our redemption and the forgiveness of our sins occurred during this period. It is an act contrary to the law of marriage for one spouse to stay near the other in bed during the Lenten fast. Woe to him who commits this sin in the days of the Holy Week. If we will fulfil our will in pleasure in the Holy Lenten fast, where then will be our joy to see the resurrection? And fasting does not consist merely of taking bread and water only; the fast which is acceptable before God is living in purity of heart. If the body is hungry and thirsty, but the soul eats whatever it likes and the heart is entirely given to delights, what benefit derives from your fast?" (Fetha Nagast Strauss, 2002, p. 96).

Finally, fasting is not something that is to be seen by anybody but JAH. It is not something we boast about, or openly show-off. It is not something to be done in the open so that people will look upon you in pity and awe. Appear as normal but let it be that in your mind and heart, you are suffering through a conscious denial of vice, or searching your way through a deep supplication unto JAH. “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:16-18).

Being a humble supplication, atonement or affliction, fasting is therefore a personal transaction between man or woman and JAH. If one is to share the journey of fasting, it is with the humble intent to fellowship, to inspire or enlighten someone else.

It is important to remember, that by moderating material things, fasting allows every individual to develop their will to accomplish all things through JAH, not by ego or reliance in man and idols or “things.”

Fasting regenerates the body, improves body functions; and increases wisdom and intuition.

I really hope this was informative and inspiring,

Blessed Heart of Sabbath coming,
Sis. Ila

Keeping the Sabbath Holy

Guidelines for Hola Senbet Selam (holy Sabbath peace)

The first post I made on Senbet was about what the Sabbath day is as a covenant and feast. Here are the Scriptures that deal what the rules are for Sabbath. I am not going into detail on actual practices, but more dealing with the general basic guidelines of the 6pm to 6 pm rest in JAH from the ancient Hebrew and Jewish traditions.

Rastafari in seeing ourselves as the distant yet genuine descendants of Isra’el, have been specially birthed by JAH through prophecy and history to become His cherished, peculiar treasure throughout the earth. As Jubilees interprets, we have been summoned by the Word of JAH to abide eternally in the same realms as HIM through the Sabbath seventh day rest from works.

“And I have chosen the seed of Jacob from amongst all that I have seen, and have written him down as My first-born son, and have sanctified him unto Myself for ever and ever; and I will teach them the Sabbath day, that they may keep Sabbath thereon from all work.” (Book of Jubilees 2:20).


As written in Exodus 20, the Sabbath Commandment is the only Law which begins with the word remember. What must we remember? To keep the Sabbath Holy. That is, to be mindful of our very own acts and words when we enter into the day of rest in the Lord. It is therefore necessary to not only read the Scriptures and overstand the importance of Sabbath, but to be mindful of how ones must prepare to keep Senbet a holy day of rest on earth as it is in Zion.

Therefore, Rastafari practises are twofold, based not only on the Hebrew Scripture commandments, but also on the concept of principled separation from that which defiles our Temples in Babylon/the world - that is, products, projects, languages, services, pleasures. Sabbath is a great partner to the Nazirite vow, which when considering its tenets, aims to separate the body from defilement with dead flesh, intoxication, and vanity. Such principled separation allows one to purge sin and bad habits, to be more I-Conscious and in tune with the heavenly and earthly JAH/Zion.

In order to conduct Sabbath in the correct Order, our driving force must be commitment to the purpose of such a day in the fullness that is expected of Ras Tafari’s exceptional children.

“And behold the commandment regarding the Sabbaths -I have written (them) down for thee- and all the judgements of its laws.
Six days shalt thou labour, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it ye shall do no manner of work, ye and your sons, and your men- servants and your maid-servants, and all your cattle and the sojourner also who is with you.
And the man that does any work on it shall die: whoever desecrates that day, whoever lies with (his) wife, or whoever says he will do something on it, that he will set out on a journey thereon in regard to any buying or selling: and whoever draws water thereon which he had not prepared for himself on the sixth day, and whoever takes up any burden to carry it out of his tent or out of his house shall die.
Ye shall do no work whatever on the Sabbath day save what ye have prepared for yourselves on the sixth day, so as to eat, and drink, and rest, and keep Sabbath from all work on that day, and to bless the Lord your God, who has given you a day of festival and a holy day: and a day of the holy kingdom for all Israel is this day among their days for ever.
For great is the honour which the Lord has given to Israel that they should eat and drink and be satisfied on this festival day, and rest thereon from all labour which belongs to the labour of the children of men save burning frankincense and bringing oblations and sacrifices before the Lord for days and for Sabbaths.
This work alone shall be done on the Sabbath-days in the sanctuary of the Lord your God; that they may atone for Israel with sacrifice continually from day to day for a memorial well-pleasing before the Lord, and that He may receive them always from day to day according as thou hast been commanded.
And every man who does any work thereon, or goes a journey, or tills (his) farm, whether in his house or any other place, and whoever lights a fire, or rides on any beast, or travels by ship on the sea, and whoever strikes or kills anything, or slaughters a beast or a bird, or whoever catches an animal or a bird or a fish, or whoever fasts or makes war on the Sabbaths:
The man who does any of these things on the Sabbath shall die, so that the children of Israel shall observe the Sabbaths according to the commandments regarding the Sabbaths of the land, as it is written in the tablets…”(Jubilees 50:6-13)

“Declare and say to the children of Israel the law of this day both that they should keep Sabbath thereon, and that they should not forsake it in the error of their hearts; (and) that it is not lawful to do any work thereon which is unseemly, to do thereon their own pleasure, and that they should not prepare thereon anything to be eaten or drunk, and (that it is not lawful) to draw water, or bring in or take out thereon through their gates any burden, which they had not prepared for themselves on the sixth day in their dwellings.
And they shall not bring in nor take out from house to house on that day; for that day is more holy and blessed than any jubilee day of the jubilees; on this we kept Sabbath in the heavens before it was made known to any flesh to keep Sabbath thereon on the earth” (Jubilees 2:29-30).

“You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the lord.” (Leviticus 19:30)

“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:3)

The main statutes of Sabbath therefore include:


1. No buying or selling, no work

“Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.” (Leviticus 23:3)

"Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work" (Exodus 20)

“Thus says the Lord: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.” (Jeremiah 17:21-22).

2. No gathering food, making food. Be prepared from Friday morning/afternoon

“Then he said to them, ‘This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’”

(Exodus 16:23)

3. No kindling of fire for any reason

“You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” (Exodus 35:3)

No lighting of flame after Sabbath starts. Candles that have a long burning power can be used.

4. No travelling, be where you need to go before Sabbath.

“See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” 

(Exodus 16:29)

“And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:20-21).

5. No pleasures or daily routines

“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the Lord honourable,
And shall honour Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure,Nor speaking your own words,”
(Isaiah 58:13)

No pleasures includes all recreational activities, as well as sexual relations on the marriage bed. Sabbath is a day of no work which means no creation, and includes procreation. Sabbath is a holy feast so it is a day when ones are to observe ritual purity.

It is interesting to note that The State of Israel in Palestine shuts down totally on Sabbath, not even electricity runs.


Blessed Love, give thanks for the reasoning and the works in the Name of the King JAH Rastafari and Queen JAH Rastafari!

Ila

Back to school!

Greetings!
 

I know all the Sistren are busy getting their youths back to school - for me it is home-schooling. I wasn't feeling too irie this weekend so I didn't get a chance to prepare as I wanted to. but I've been working on it the whole morning and Nile has been patiently waiting, finding her own entertainment while I'm up and down the house (we had to get the fridge fixed!).

Home-schooling has always been part of Rastafari Livity, and is called New Jerusalem Homeschool because our methods of teaching incorporate our own black heritage and our cultural and Iritual values. Homeschool also allows children to develop at their own pace, not being forced to maintain deadlines, blend-in to be like people who really are nothing like them, regurgitate information they don't really overstand, or not being bullied by teachers and other children. It's also very rewarding for the family unit, makes it strong and closer knit which in this day is a rare jewel.

Homeschooling also takes great patience and preparation on the part of the parent!
If you are a homeschooler, it is important to have these items:
a chalk or white board
a table and chair
books
wall posters with words, alphabet, numbers, shapes and whatever else
colouring activity books and crayons
 paints and other crafty things - always have what your child likes to do! mine loves to paint and colour
work books or sheets with all the various topics you want to work on
flashcards (they really really work, I use cereal boxes to make mine, I get 6 cards from 1 box)
musical instruments or sing-alongs

do outdoors lessons also, in the garden about nature and those kinds of things
also lessons from any important quote, figure, teaching on manners, character strengths, interpersonal skills


 here are some great websites my sistren Priya and I use  to find worksheets and activities

http://www.kidslearningstation.com

http://www.abcmouse.com (this is a monthly payment option however but up to 3 kids on one account)

http://www.activityvillage.com

http://www.uptoten.com

www.firstpalette.com

Also, if you can get them, try "PreSchool Prep Company"dvds which have colours, letters, numbers, shapes and sight words

 
Leap Frog also had good dvds that teach words and phonics

Hooked on Phonics packages are also really good in my opinion I'm currently using Learn to Read Grade K which has 2 levels.


Happy Homeschooling!
New Jerusalem ever Babylon never!
Ila