Become a Fan!

Just a quick posting today on a recent accomplishment I achieved. I have finished up, for the most part, my facebook fan page. If you would like to become a fan, head on over and sign up. I hope to keep you the most up to date on the blog here as well as on facebook. I will be posting specials to the fan page, so make sure you sign up to get the passwords and codes from me. If you are not on facebook, I will be setting up a quarterly e-mail newsletter in the future. Look for that announcement to come. Once again, thanks to everyone over the past year for the support you have given me. I would not be here if it weren't for you! Come on over and check out the new digs!

New Product - Organizational Tins

I have been busily bouncing around on this idea since this summer, and after working on some great blackwork designs over the past few months, I finally have my first tin out for purchase at this listing!



This project is the culmination of two things I really love, embroidery and organizational items. Blackwork is a distinctive embroidery technique that became popular in sixteenth century England for covering caps, gloves, sleeves, and bodices. Ever since I first learned about this technique, I have wanted to try it out. These small tin pieces are a great way to have some of this intricate work around for me to enjoy in an everyday practical way. I have always loved items that aid in organization and are stylish at the same time, and these tins will fit the bill. I was always sick of digging through my overly stuffed bag at dance performances trying to find my ugly plastic sandwich bag of pins, that ultimately did not get closed all the way and dumped all over my bag. I also love the oh so embarrassing "I can't find my bindi, oh wait, here it is stuck to my costume" situation.



Sticking with my need to make all things multipurpose, these tins can also be more versatile than just uses for a gig bag. It could also help to tame your purse or backpack of its organizational woes. Inside is a mirror for aiding in any contact replacement, bindi adjustment, or make-up touch up needs while at a dance function or when you are just out on the town. This tin is so small and versatile it could be slipped into a clutch purse when out on the town. The interior is also lined with black felt to show off any pretty bindi or jewelry pieces stored inside. I hope you all enjoy these. I really enjoyed developing and making this one. There will be more with other new designs to come in the future!

Purple Pants Anyone?

I am so excited and pleased to be able to offer these purple pants for sale. Purple is my personal favorite color, so it is always hard for me to part with any purple items, but I would like for these to go to a happy home. Plus, purple is one of the in colors for this fall and winter season! They were a joy to work with, and while I loved working with some new fabrics for the Jakarta line for my recent custom orders, I was happy to get back to saris. There is just something magical about the way the light plays on the fabric, and the colors it creates. The fabric also has great flow and drape to it. Yet, what is great and wonderful about these fabrics is also what is horrible about photographing them. I am never quite happy with the results of my amateur photography skills, and the pants require just the perfect conditions of full sun and zero air movement for me to be able to get them on film. Even when I do get some pictures that turn out, I feel that they miss the luster of the fabrics in most cases. So, here is my humble submission of my photography, modeling, and editing skills on display for you.



You can purchase this pair of pants in my Etsy Shop. I hope you stop in and see what is there for purchase. I have some other great fall and winter colors in and will be adding more pairs of pants soon!

Let Me Introduce Myself!

Hello Etsy Raqs readers! My name is Amy, and when on stage it is Nadima, and I am the purveyor of Fabulous Pants. I began sewing in 1997 when I joined the Belegarth Medieval Combat Society. Through this association, I not only learned about costume design but also learned about the art of bellydance. I learned off of tape until I joined Pangaea Dance studio in 2005. While dancing at Pangaea, I found that there were few options for comfortable practice pants that were also fashionable enough to wear in restaurants and clubs after practices. I wanted a way to transition from different venues without having to take different clothes with me for each place. After working on costuming for the resident dance troupes, Reflections and Patchwork Silks, as well as my own costuming in Medieval and fantasy clothing design for Belegarth, I began working on my pants design. This exploration could not have come at a better time for me. Another member of the studio, Bastet, approached me about beginning a Gothic Fusion duet now known as Maelstrom. We loved to use Fabulous Pants as one of the bases of our unique costuming, and I wanted to make these pants and other items available for your bellydance needs through Etsy. I am concerned not only with the beauty of design but also with quality fabrics, notions, and workmanship.

So why are they called Fabulous Pants and how did this all begin? Fabulous Pants began as a mere side project for me. I wanted practice wear for bellydance that was lighter weight than sweatpants, versatile in movement, and most importantly fashionable for wearing out of the house, into the studio, and then out on the town for dinners after dance rehearsal. While on vacation, I learned about a type of pant from Indonesia and Bali. The versatility of the garment was just what I was looking for, however they were made for men and did not fit all the curves of the female body. After adapting several patterns, I had made a pant that was light enough for practice and also had enough movement for proper execution of bellydance movements. I then began looking for suitable fabrics to accompany the pants dual nature of practice wear and street attire. Everywhere I wore the pants they were called "fabulous" by people, and so I began calling them Fabulous Pants. After many requests by individuals for where the pants could be obtained, my friends and family convinced me to go into the pants business along with my other side projects of dance belts and tribal fusion costume design. I am dedicated to bringing you high quality products that fit both practice and performance needs made out of the finest materials available. All of the products are handmade with care in my home in Oakland, California. I hope you stop by my Etsy store and take a look around. I am working on some new pants, belts and hairfalls, so look for them to be listed soon!