Two-Tone Dress with Belt

Join us in a new series of sewing workshops this November (starting on October 30th as our first session). Our theme for this month is “Return”, which is Lead Artist, Razan Samara’s vision of being away from our homeland, yet remaining steadfast to preserving one's cultures, traditions, and the longing to return to the familiar.

Sewing Facilitator, Anita Boey, has designed a Two-Tone Dress with Belt, which showcases the stark contrast between traditional (patterned fabric) and contemporary (black fabric) elements. The wearer expresses a deep desire to preserve their cultural identity and a longing to “return” to their roots. Additionally, the combination of different fabrics and colors pays homage to the traditional practice of intentional mending, historically done to extend the longevity of family heirlooms and costumes. This practice symbolizes a commitment to sustainability and the passing down of garments to future generations. The belt holds the significance of bridging both the traditional and the present together.

Join in to create your own customized Two-Tone Dress with Belt. Jamii will provide a selection of fabric for you to choose from, and we also welcome you to bring fabric that means something special to you. For this sewing project, you’ll need 3 meters of fabric (1.5 meters for each side of the dress). Note about Color Harmony: Ensure the colors of the fabrics complement each other well. If the traditional fabric has patterns, the modern fabric should be solid to balance the design.

For novice sewers, Ghader, our dedicated Sewing Workshop Assistant, will guide you with the fundamental skills of operating a sewing machine while delving into a simple yet captivating belt.

Let's stitch away our Wednesdays together in a warm and encouraging atmosphere. By the end of this workshop series, you'll not only have a garment to treasure but also the pride of mastering new sewing skills!

Lesson plan:

1)      Wednesday October 30th – Introduction to the theme of “Return”, and how it inspired the design of this Two-Tone Dress with Belt. Participants will choose their fabric, transfer the pattern pieces onto their fabric and cut their fabric.

2)      Wednesday November 6th – Sew the front panels and back panels of the dress.

3)      Wednesday November 13th – Sew the front to the back of the dress, hemming the neckline, armholes and length of the dress.

4)      Wednesday November 20th – Sewing the belt and adding finishing touches to the outfit, and end with a Fashion Show!

Sewing participants are highly encouraged to attend November’s “Saturday Mingling” event at Jamii, to show off their Two-Tone Dress with Belt to the rest of the Jamii community!