15 Ways to Have New Clothes for Eid with Little $ or Time

So, it is almost Eid (or Byram as is said in Eastern Europe/Turkey) and we all know that new clothes are a tradition for our holidays.  But what if you have no money left in the budget for a new outfit?  Refashion!!!

I am sorry this post is a little late.  I actually didn't think of it until about 10 minutes ago.  But a major part of what I intend for this blog is about refashioning clothes.  Making the old new again, or at least different so you feel you have something new.  

Now I know there isn't a lot of time left for any major projects, so I thought I would just compile a list of some easy and quick things you can do to change an old and boring piece of clothing. 

1. Embellish it!  At your local craft store or even Walmart, you can get little rhinestones that can be glued or ironed on.  Beads that you sew on.  Pretty, bright colored threads with which you can embroider on a design.

2. Add a lace edging.  Recycle some vintage lace or buy some lace edging/ribbon and sew onto the edges of your cuffs and hem of your abaya.  Sew the edge to the inside of the edge with it hanging out for a professional look.

pic from Old School Hijabi

3. Dye it.  Rit dye is cheap and easy.  Dye your abaya or jilbab a whole new color!  This works best to go from a light shade to a dark, but you can mix colors as well.  Try a green over blue for a teal.  Dark colored clothing won't show a color change, of course. (the end of this tutorial has good dyeing instructions)

4. Add a ribbon edging.  Sew a ribbon along the edges of your cuffs, hem, or a placket.

5. Shorten an abaya to tunic length and wear with a skirt or loose pants.

6. Lengthen a tunic or shirt with a panel of fabric to make an abaya. (see link for tutorial)

7. Sew a simple maxi skirt. (see this tutorial.)

8. Turn a maxi skirt into a pair of wide-legged pants. (see this link for a tutorial.)

9. Sew a dupatta into a skirt by cutting it in half, sewing up the sides, and sewing an elastic waistband.

10. Sew a tunic with matching (or contrasting?) scarves and wear over a long sleeve shirt or plain abaya. (see my post)

11. Sew a simple caftan to wear over a long sleeve shirt. (see my tutorial and pics below)

12.Sew a simple maxi dress. (See this tutorial)

13. Sew a scarf into a cute jacket/shrug to wear over an abaya. Just sew up the sides to create arms.

14. Sew a dupatta into a tunic by cutting in half and sewing up the sides and top, leaving holes for arms and neck.

15. Take a large panel of lace (even curtains or a tablecloth can work) and sew into a caftan to wear over an abaya (see the caftan tutorials above).  Try dying (see tutorial above) for a nice change than your normal white or ivory lace.  Or find a panel of black lace for sophistication!

So there are 15 ideas for creating new clothes for Eid from almost no money or time!

Please share with me in the comments any other ideas you have!  And send me pics of your creations!  I will only share them if I have your permission.

May Allah (swt) bless you and your family this Eid!