DeZines by Zahra: Modest and Islamic Clothing Patterns!!
blog: DeZines by Zahra
I may finally announce my good friend’s new business! I’ve been wondering for years when someone would start a biz selling Islamic clothing patterns. Then all within the last year and a half, Joyce/Zahra, a 60-yo widow and mother of a grown daughter, becomes a Muslim, meets me and becomes my friend, tries to find Islamic clothing patterns to sew herself some clothes, and finds a hole in the Islamic clothing market. With my encouragement, she has decided to quit complaining and do something about it. (This idea had better fly or it will be my fault. 
)
Her patterns are not available for sale yet, although her launch date is fast approaching. She has in production an open-front abaya, a closed-front abaya, a 6-gore skirt, and various designs of LONG SHIRTS. The #1 request for patterns has been long shirts, so she’s answering the call. She is always taking requests for future pattern designs, so click on over to her blog to leave requests. And be sure to sign up for her newsletter so you may be notified of her launch date.
I told her, and she agrees, that she absolutely has to offer petite, tall, and plus sizes because people needing those sizes don’t find much ready-made clothing. She will also offer a girls’ line of patterns, and, insha’allah, if I can convince her, a maternity line as well. If she listens to me, I won’t allow her to launch the biz ’til she has petite, tall, and plus sized patterns ready for sale too because we ladies of those sizes are tired of not being catered to! (It helps that she’s petite and I’m tall. )
If you have even an inkling that you will be buying a pattern or two when they are up for sale, leave a comment on her blog or reply to one of the newsletter e-mails and tell her! She’s being cautious and producing only a small number of each pattern to start with, and I think the demand will be much larger.
So what else do you want patterns for? My suggestions are below:
- Islamic swimming suit
- girls’ abaya
- one-piece prayer garment with sleeves
- long length khimar
- chemise/full slip
- more styles of skirts
- more styles of long shirts
- long maternity shirts
- two-piece al amira
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Dara-
I am an avid sewer and I would like to suggest for her business, that she print her patterns on heavy paper so it can be traced and altered ( if needed) and the original can be preserved. I have many patterns that are old and cannot be found anymore because I have done this . It also saves money on ordering many copies of the same pattern for different family members. Just my 2 cents.
Christine
August 4th, 2008 at 10:09 am
She should also have a freebie pattern or two that can be downloaded via PDF. Maybe something like an underscarf or hijab cap pattern? Or undersleeves/armcovers?
Most indie pattern sites I visit have a freebie section.
Skirts! Most definitely!
August 5th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I think this is wonderful idea. Finding clothing that is long enough or modest enough has become a problem espcially for us larger people. Also when my daughter was ready to have a baby,it was a boy, she found that a triditional salweez kameez for an infant did not exist and she had her heart set on bringing him home in one. Being a sewer I set out to fix that. I made a pattern to sew her one including a kufi. I am have since made patterns for it ranging from xs to large so that he will have them for any occasion she wishes. I am currently making him one for Eid. That is also a gap I have found. I enjoy sewing and am looking forward to her patterns being available. And I also agree heavy paper makes a pattern last longer.
Denise
August 25th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Salaam uralaikoem oegtie,
I’m looking now for a long time for muslim clothes pattern
but cant find a site whos selling these pattern.
Tell our sister to start an online shop with muslim clothes pattern. here in europe lot of girls, woman are searching for them includes me. I will even wil help her to promote it here where I live insjallah. I will tell our sisters about her site.
Insjallah she will start soon. cant wait to buy from her
Please sent me an email if she launch her site.
Like I said I really need pattern for muslim clothes.
not the ones you can download as pdf because I really dont know how to use those. I like the old fashion way the one on paper.
Anyway I hope to hear from you soon insjallah.
Wa Salaam
Norwira
August 24th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Salaam!
I am not islamic, but i wish to dress moddestly. Trying to find clothes here in australia is extreemly hard. I work outdoors, so long panths and long sleive shirts with a high neck, are a winner. Also a cap pattern for women with short hair would be nice. My boss wont let me wear hijab at work but i wear a large hat that covers much. Thank you!
Blessings to all sisters!
Mel.