Thread: Ghawazee coat patterns

Hi All,
I need to make a ghawazee coat for an upcoming performance. I have some sewing experience, and would like to try and make one (though the real issue is actually FINISHING the project).
I have came across several patterns online:
Madame X Ghawazee Coat
Atira Fashion - Al-Zahra's Ghawazee Coat
BD Patterns #2014 - Ethnic Style Coat with Sleeve Variations
Others?

I have also come across tutorials on altering dresses, but I already bought fabric, though I regret NOT think about this option beforehand.

Has anyone tried these patterns? Experiences? I'm pretty petite, so hopefully alterations won't be necessary.

Thanks in advanced!

-E

I have used both the BD pattern and Atira's pattern. I prefer Atira's. It's easier and looks great finished. I think there is a photo of me in my gallery in a green qhawazee coat made from the Atira pattern. They tend to run a little small, but since you're petite, you'll probably be just fine.

Here's the photo:

Originally Posted by shahla

Here's the photo:

What beautiful fabric! I really like how the completed garment looks on you - both the lines of the garment with your body type, and the colors in the fabric.

I was in the troupe that tested the original draft of Madame X's Ghawazee coat pattern. I don't know if she altered the design, but the test pattern we had ran very large. I would say that the "Small" cutting lines were about the equivalent of a size 12-14. That was around nine years ago and I never owned a commercial copy of the pattern, so she may have changed the fit since then.

BTW, in a pinch you could alter a regular tunic, dress, or coat pattern (like you could buy at a fabric store) to get the approximate style. Basically any semi-fitted top with set sleeves and a front-center seam could be modified to work.

Atira's is good! I had to adjust it upward 3 sizes and it's quite nice.

I'm in love!

It looks better than this:



and an in-action shot where I whited out my girlfriend:

Shahla, that looks great!

They look great Shahla and Nadyasidhe.
Does anyone have this pattern they'd like to sell???
Thought I'd check while I'm here lol..g.:..g.:..g.:

I typically use the atira's, but you do have to alter the sleeve openings (tiny!). I have instructions for making a historical coat (17th cent and earlier) on which the ghawazee coat is based online as well.

http://people.tribe.net/basina/photo...1-b53f0c9acd43

The patterned one is a sleeveless coat based on Atiras and the light green is a short coat from my instructions, which are here:

[ame]http://www.scribd.com/doc/4865202/CompletePatternPublic-ppt-ReadOnly]CompletePatternPublic ppt [Read-Only[/ame]

I used the Atira's pattern for the coat in this picture:



Unlike some of the others here, I made mine sleeveless.

I did have to open the arm-holes a bit, but otherwise it was a great pattern.

I love the Atira's pattern, I made it as-is, but did not sew the sleeve hole shut (did the open armpit thing) - it's very cute, but sadly the dye on mine bled in the wash and I've got to try and fix it >.<

I just remembered, Folkwear Patterns also has a Ghawazee coat pattern as part of their Turkish Dancer pattern: Folkwear Pattern #108

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!
Everyone's coat looks so great! I hope mine turns out like that =)....
I am thinking about trying the Atira pattern then. It sounds like the coat runs small. I wear street size of 4-6, would that work OK with the pattern? I like the idea of keeping the arm pit area open. I'll probably get some cheap cotton fabric to try it first, and alter it accordingly. How long will this take? My sewing machine skills are OK, and I have worked with only a handful of patterns.

Thanks again!

This is based on Atiras pattern. All the Atira patterns run very small. Go by actual measurements, not size. I screwed up, got the front too small, and added the vertical bands at the center front. The fabric is really slippery and my hipscarf was slowly working its way up my hips

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_7K3Wt29bWuY/SI...576/035_BB.JPG

This one is from BD patterns, they run true to size.

http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload...10cdcca.medium

I agree with everyone about the Atira pattern running small - when I was an XS in most things, I think the Large size might even have come out too small. Its a pretty simple pattern and makes-up quickly, but definitely do a test first!

Originally Posted by nitewindz

I screwed up, got the front too small, and added the vertical bands at the center front. The fabric is really slippery and my hipscarf was slowly working its way up my hips

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_7K3Wt29bWuY/SI...576/035_BB.JPG

Wow, that looks fu-fu-fabulous! If you hadn't said so, I would have assumed the vertical bands were a placket. That fabric is absolutely smashing!

Originally Posted by nitewindz

This is based on Atiras pattern. All the Atira patterns run very small. Go by actual measurements, not size. I screwed up, got the front too small, and added the vertical bands at the center front. The fabric is really slippery and my hipscarf was slowly working its way up my hips

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_7K3Wt29bWuY/SI...576/035_BB.JPG

This one is from BD patterns, they run true to size.

http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload...10cdcca.medium

Oh I like the fabric of the first one!

I tested the Atira's Ghawazee vest/jacket pattern years ago, and found it had absolutely no instructions for fitting and alterations. Like most patterns, it didn't even have a step that says "After step 3, try on. Adjust this part to fit."

That's not a problem for me cause I have fitting & alteration skills, but sewers who depend on following pattern instructions exactly could mess up.

The Ghawazee cut-out has to be fitted perfectly around the bra. If the cutout is too low or the waist is lower than your actual waist, it will not look right.
Sizes mean nothing, you have to compare the pattern to your own measurements.

Below is a Ghawazee jacket I made out of a standard jacket. Whether you use a standard pattern or a "Middle Eastern" pttern, very rarely will every part be a perfect fit with no adjustments.