"Fashion Can Be Bought, Style One Must Possess!"

~Edna W. Chase~

Good Monday morning sew family! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that you’re ready for the week ahead. This past weekend I worked on several sewing projects finishing one and wrestling with several others. While I love working with knit fabrics the few I chose to use this past weekend truly gave me the blues! Projects that should have taken me an hour or less to get through seemed to go on forever leaving me frustrated and annoyed. So while I was busy with the seam ripper I decided to have my daughter model a pair of African print harem pants I made a couple of weeks ago.

Usually harem pants are made in soft knit fabrics that hang and drape well on the body. I however decided to go against the grain and try something new using this vibrant green African wax fabric. The African textiles I’ve used over the years are usually 100% cotton or subtly woven damask; which in the minds of some limits the options of what you can actually create with this type fabric. Most people see African wax prints as stiff fabrics that are difficult to mold and form into certain designs. I however found that if you wash the fabric prior to creating the garment it loosens it up making it pliable and easier to work into various designs.

The vibrant colors and tribal prints of this particular type of fabric make almost anything you create quite fabulous. As luck would have it my daughter loves these pants and is currently learning how to make several more on her own, (courtesy of her mother). So before you pass on a particular fabric whether it’s knit or woven I say give it a try because you will never know the endless creative possibilities at your fingertips unless you do! Here’s to a great week lovelies and I hope you enjoy the pictures of my daughter modeling for her frustrated mommy below.

~Hugs~

Pattern Self Drafted see Video & DIY page of blog for instructions on how to create these harem pants! Top and Accessories from Forever 21!