DIY Frill Tube Top & Maxi Skirt Set

Blessed Love Sistren

This tutorial is another skirt set but with a frill tube top and a maxi skirt. The maxi method I use is the same as the one with the pockets which is here, but in this tutorial there is a video on how to make it without pockets.

Now I don't usually wear tube tops out in public without a jacket, wrap or shrug anymore, so you can pair this skirt set with either the shrug tutorial or the Ises wrap tutorial if you care to cover up your shoulders.

Materials

2 yards of fabric 58 " or wider

yard rule

chalk

thread

scissors

pins

measuring tape

sewing machine
how to sew the tube top:

1.The tube shirt is cut on the fold so it has one seam at the back.

It is the same width as the maxi skirt so it is the hip measurement divided by 2 plus 1". So i marked 18" on the fold.

The length of the tube top is from under the arms down to the middle of the buttocks, plus 1.25". The 1/4" is for the seam at the top  and the 1" is for the hem of the top. Mine is 19.25"

so the rectangle for the tube is almost a circle. 19.25x18".

Next cut the frill which is the same width on the fold as the tube top 18". It is 8" tall - this includes the same 1.25" seam allowance for top seam and hemline of frill.

**Of course if you use jersey this hemming of both tube top and frill won't be a problem, just add 1/4" seam allowance to both lengths if not making hems.

2. Zig Zag all rough edges together except the part of the rectangle that would be the hem.

3. Put right sides together on both frill and tube top, and pin in place.

 Make a straight stitch 1/2" from the open edge side of the frill and tube, to make the one back seamline.

4. Iron out seam lines. Make two 1/4" folds at the bottom of the frill and at the bottom of the tube top, to make the hem. Pin in place and sew using a straight stitch.

5. Keep the tube top right side in, and the frill right side in, but insert the tube into the frill, matching up the zigzag edges at the top. Pin.

Sew a 1/4" seam all around the top to join the frill and tube together.

this is what the seam looks like under the frill

6. Flip the tube inside out on the right side and iron the seam down. 

Mark downwards a little over 3/4" and use a rule to mark a striaght line all around the tube.  sew an elastic casing all around the top of the tube. Leave an opening under the frill to insert the elastic.

7. Cut elastic at right size and insertwith a safety pin. Close the casing.

Finished!

The complete Set

Learn to make the skirt by watching this video:

Wear it with a belt and give it a slight buff.

 Cover up with an Ises Wrap

Sew a Tube Skirt and Shrug Set

Greetings

Here's a tutorial to make a matching set - a skirt and shrug or bolero. Every empress needs a bolero and with this tutorial you can make your own in any colour, i plan to make the basic black and brown. If you make a set you can wear them together or separately. in this striped print I dont plan to wear mine together but I just took the photos to show the finished set.

Happy sewing Sistren!
Bless
Ila

How to Sew a Modest High Low Dress

Blessed Love

So I decided to combine two separate styles into one dress for this tutorial, a high low skirt (well sorta hehe) and a drawstring top which is modest but cool. And what I love is that this dress can be casual for shopping or any day activity, or worn on date night with the King-Man *wink wink*
I making multifunctional pieces because I choose to dress very nicely wherever I go - being a homebody and all lol. This High-low style is a special conservative style for the Sistren - not above the knees or showing too much leg that would deemed inappropriate.  I found this really nice retro knit print fabric to match the high-low style.

So check it out Sistren!
I will be posting quite a few sewing tutorials this strong coming, and also to create some vlogs dealing with Virtuous Wombman principles, including the covering and wraping viedo 3. So stay tuned to the blog and youtube... the videos will be in youtube before being posted here.

Ila

How to Sew a Blouson Top

Selamta Royal Dawtas

One of my sewing favourites clothes wise is the oversized blouse or top which is like a kaftan shirt, tunic shirt or dashiki shirt. I have one pattern which I use to create five different tops using less than one yard of fabric, jersey or cotton. If you visit my kaftan dress tutorial you will see the method of creating the basic top - the length of the dress is just shortened to your hip area. But I am just going to outline everything here again.

So I discovered (a while back but I been too busy to post it up) the style of putting an elastic belt in the hem of the top to create a nice buff fall-over style (one of my personal favourites)- only to discover that  it's trending now at the Gap.  While browsing to see what's new on Old Navy and Gap (the only mainstream brands Iwould like outside of Forever 21) I saw that The Gap has one here and it's called the Blouson. So it's still kind of kool that I found the name and whatnot, the blouson style means any jacket, dress or top that has an elastic waist gather - I really need to buy that complete guide to sewing book I saw. it would have in all that information I need, and it would really help me expand my ability to actually learn fashion terminology instead! I've added it to my mental to-do list.

All in all with this top you will definitely be trending for fall season. I find it very comfortable and versatile because it can be casual or elegant based on the fabric - whether you go cotton or jersey, solid print or pattern. The Gap's blouson is very casual. I will post up another tutorial for a jersey skirt after Sabbath which will show how to more elegant style looks (the black and white top).
Also I am using pictures from two different shirts here.

Materials

1 yrd Jersey or knit fabric 58 inches wide

Pins

Scissors

Yard rule

Chalk

Sewing machine

Ball point needle 90/14 or 70/10

¾ inch elastic

correct thread

 Width – your hip measurement divided by two, plus 8 inches (mine is 36/2+8= 26 inches  wide which is a small-large size)

The length is the width of the fabric, the selvedge edges -58 inches. On the fold it is 29 inches. the length of all tops will be 29 inches if using 58 inch wide knit.
Whatever width your fabric is, is the length unless you turn it and cut the other way on the fabric.

Armhole - length is 9 inches.

Neckline -  is 6 inches deep and 6 inches wide (3 inches when cutting on fold) if you want to hem - when hemming it will end up 7 inches wide. Without a hem it can be a straight cut 6 inches deep into the middle of the shirt if you dont want to hem the neckline.

These measurements include a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

1. Fold over fabric so the fold is at the top, right sides together.
2. Cut your width out.

3. Pin together the sides of the shirt.

4. Fold the shirt in half sideways, and mark the middle with a small clip of the scissors, unfold now and cut down the middle line 6 inches down. Can be lower.You can also choose to mark across 3 inches from the fold and draw a curve to the 5 inch mark. Cut out this semicircle-ish shape - you don't have to hem this neckline either if you don't want to.


To the left top side is my little clip:

5. Sew down the sides of the shirt, starting from the 9 inch marker for the armpit. **note that in using the selvage edges without a hem, it is best to start at the bottom and sew Up to the 9 inch marker to ensure the edges are properly lined up.**
 However, jersey or knit fabrics tend to fold sometimes, so it may not even be noticeable if there is a tiny off balance of the selvage. Try the bottom to top method to avoid it altogether however.
(can't see the side seams here very well but look to the left and you will see a piece of thread, follow that.)

6. Make an elastic casing just big enough for the ¾ inch elastic to slide through. Leave space for elastic to go inside.

 7. Using your hip as a guide cut out the elastic band that it will fit snugly against your hips. Make it one less than your hip measurement in otherwords. Attach to a safety pin and insert the elastic. Close the opening.

8. Make a hemline for the armpit and neckline if not leaving the knit raw (for me it all depends on how it looks when it's finished or the type of fabric - if it will fray or isn't cut nicely it needs a hem.)

Finished!

As I said, the blouson top is really one style of many that can be made from one basic pattern - the basic pattern is the exact method, caluclations and measurements written here, BUT there is no elastic waist - so in finishing the regular basic top, you can either choose to hem the bottom of the shirt or leave the selvage edges, neatly matched up.
Again it all depends on the fabric and what you are using the top for - if it's for a more casual look - to wear to the spring,peach or pool, at home, then the hemming won't be necessary, if for going out, if the fabric doesn't look polished enough on raw edges, them do all the hemming.
 For a more dressy blouson:

 the great thing too is that the  waist band can be worn down on the hips like above or pulled up to under the bust to create a more crop top like below.

 

Here is the regular basic oversized top in a very light knit that I will use for home and going to the spring - but I have dressed it up here over a camisole and maxi, to show you that the top overall can be versatile.

Here's the pattern:

Fulljoy that "blouson" lol. It really is a fav of mine - I've made a brown, black, black n white so far!
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 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