Happy New Week dear creative friends on Hive wishing everyone a productive week and may all our dreams and aspirations for the new year become a reality soon.

Some feel the year is too fresh to start putting in the work to make your dreams a reality, little do they know that the work starts now, I hope you motivate every one of us to never relent, yea, the year is fresh but it Is when you even feel more energized. So today, I will be sharing with us my first needlework project for 2025, a shift/bubu dress made with Kampala fabric which I made for my sister, I also made a shirt and trousers for her husband using the same fabric, but it was already too late to take pictures when I was working in his, thankfully, I had the time and daylight to take the cutting and sewing process of thee dress.

This would be their first matching outfit as a couple after their wedding which took place last month, this matching outfit would be their attire on their wedding Thanksgiving, which is more like a tradition here in my country, going to the church to receive more prayers from the pastor and also thanking God for a successful wedding celebration.

My sister asked that I make her something free-fitted and comfortable to move around with since the fabric almost feels like nylon or soft leather, and living in a hot climate country, it can get really sweaty and uncomfortable if it's too fitted, so it has to be breathable.

Cutting and Sewing Process

• I started by cutting the front pattern with a V-neckline, using a Kimono gown pattern, meaning the sleeves are usually cut together with the bodice.

• I also cut out the back pattern which is the same as the front pattern, the only difference is the neckline.

• Continuing, I cut out a facing for the front neckline using a different matching fabric, which I used to neatly turn the neckline outwards. I also cut out the facing for the back neckline, but the facing goes inward.

• Next, I joined both front and back by the shoulders

• Moving on, I joined the gown by the sides, this length stops just right above her kneel.

• To extend the length, I added these fashionable fringes, I don't know what other names it is called, but it is usually beautiful on dresses, giving it a rain drop effect, it adds more stylish details and elegance to a dress no matter how simple looking it was before.

In my excitement when I was done, I hurriedly sent it to my sister, forgetting to take pictures with my mannequin, and now my sister just had to take these beautiful shots of the finished look for me, since she didn't have anyone at home to take her, I'm grateful she did, so I could share with you all on this beautiful NeedleworkMonday.

I hope all like this dress design as well. Enjoy the rest of the week and stay blessed.

*Images used in this post are mine.

Thank you for reading.❤❤