Happy New week Hivers!

It's been a challenging period for the citizens of my country, as our currency crashes against the dollar rate, so does the cost of things get very high and increases on a daily basis now, from food to housing, clothing, and other basic needs and wants of life.
Families and businesses are going through a lot to survive this period, and this has caused disagreement and businesses folding up among some that couldn't bear it anymore.

Amid these struggles, I can only advise that we stay strong and devise alternative means to manage the situation as giving up should not be an option, we should also learn to be understanding, love, and care for each other more during this trying period, giving the little we have to put a smile on someone's face and take a bit of their worries away.

A few weeks back, I put a call across to a friend of mine like I always do, to check up on their well being, and I got to know her birthday will be this week's Wednesday, a usual her would have called me weeks earlier to inform me about it so I could make her a dress, but the situation of the country, inflation and all made her not want to not celebrate her big day this year, I could feel the sadness in her tone,

So I thought to make her a two piece outfit, a top and pallazo which she had always want to make but always putting it aside to meet up with other family needs, she is an amazing mother to two beautiful daughters just like me, and has been a good friend to me as well, being there in my down moments. The little I could do was not make her day go without a bit of celebration and also making her this two-piece outfit which I know she fancies and would feel excited to finally have.

I used this beautiful Ankara fabric which I bought late last year for about $3 then, but the current rate is double the price, which reminds me of @monica-ene post about having your fabric catalog, I guess this is one of the advantages, especially living in a country like mine, the price can change any moment and become difficult to afford, I've always had the habit of buying and gathering fabrics and appliques that catches my attention when I can afford them and this was one.

Making the outfit, I started with making the Pallazo, by cutting the pattern needed, palazzo's are wide-leg trousers and are very fashionable, one of the easiest and simplest ways to look stylish on a budget is having palazzo pants, and you could make them with different fabric choices, they are that flexible.

After drafting and cutting, I joined the front by the crotch area and sewed in the side pockets, for the back, I joined the crotch area and also attached a back zipper.

After which I joined them by the sides, attached a band, and hemmed the base of the trousers.

For the blouse, I drafted and but out a simple bodice block using her measurement, I also added about 1.5 inches of ease allowance, as it won't be having any darts, I turned the inside with its lining and attached a zipper at the back.

The sleeves are a basic sleeve pattern.

And here is the final look, sent to her to have it fitted and ready for some birthday photo shoot. I'm happy to be there for her, making sure her birthday is still celebrated irrespective of the dwindling economy of the country.

_{All images used in this post are mine
Image 11th collaged using canva}

Thank you for reading.❤❤