Fabric of Abu Dhabi

Fifteen years after high school and an elective sewing class, I decided to brush up on my skills. After selecting the fabric for my Abaya I spotted this beautiful satin fabric with the colors orange, turquoise, and fuchsia. I asked my husband if he thought the fabric would match our décor, because the color scheme for our home is teal, orange, and silver. He wasn’t sure but I felt we could at least try since it was only 15 dirhams per yard.

When I offered to make decorative pillows for the sofa out of the fabric, Marshall gave me that Are You Crazy Look…lol! Granted I am not the most domestic wife but I can do a little something here and there. Being a sweet and loving husband he purchased the fabric and gave me room to work. Between taking care of Madisyn, writing, and completing other personal development projects I made time to make two pillows. I wanted to make two orange pillows, but we are on the Hunt for the perfect fabric. Marshall gave me compliments and was pleasantly surprised that I completed them. I’m still a little rusty so if you come to visit do not stare at the details (work in progress).

I plan to take advantage of the beautiful fabric we have access to here to make more things. Madinat Zayed Shopping Center is a great place to find fabric.

Checkout my efforts:

My First Abaya

I have officially been in Abu Dhabi going on two months now. The environment is so calm and relaxing that it actually feels like 6 months. My family and I are slowly adapting more and more to the Emirate culture and learning to appreciate their customs.

Beautiful women are dressed in Abaya's everywhere you go here. The standard uniform appears to be an Abaya and a nice handbag (YSL or Chanel). I mentioned to my husband one day that I would like to get one.  So he took me to Madinat Zayed Shopping Center to look for fabric for my Abaya. 

We found this nice little shop in the center of the mall that displayed some unique fabric. I wanted to stick with a traditional black Abaya but with a unique pattern. I decided on this black and white design with a soft texture. I felt the pattern was simple enough to fit in with the traditional attire, but with a little personality. 

The fabric was not expensive. For 4 yards we paid 120 dirhams, which is only $32 US. Initially we were told we had to travel to a separate location to get the Abaya made, however after my husband became friendly with the shop that customized his Kandura they told us about a shop located in the mall. After walking in I felt a little overwhelmed because the Abaya's had many styles and I was not sure about the one I wanted. I decided on a closed Abaya with wide sleeves and a matching headpiece. 

Speaking of culture, it was funny because as the tailor was measuring me he began to ask Marshall if the length was okay rather than me. I understand that in their culture wives are sometimes seen and not heard. A piece of me wanted to say hello…you can talk to me, but as you continue to live here you learn to respect their way of doing things. As long as it doesn’t kill, hurt, or disrespect my family I am okay with it. 

The cost to make the Abaya was also reasonable priced at 85 dirhams but without the headpiece it was only 50 dirhams. For a tailor-made Abaya + fabric it only cost 205 dirhams, which is $56 US. After waiting 3 days it was finally complete; my first Abaya. 

I truly love it and cannot wait to wear it. I plan to get more designs made in the future and when I start to work I would like to make them my standard uniform. All I need now is the YSL or Chanel bag to complete my look (wink..wink). My husband has already immersed himself in the Kandura culture (checkout his Facebook page).