My Paj Ntaub Project, 2010
Posted on 02 August 2010
I had been spending a lot of my time with a needle and some threads, yes, I’ve started on another Paj Ntaub project again this year. As you can see I had been very busy working on my paj ntaub and less time to do anything else. I had started the paj ntaub about 3 weeks ago, and this year, I had made more progress that I did last year. I had spent majority of my time working on my paj ntaub and had not been going anywhere. This is a good way to save money (for my upcoming trip) and also its a good stress reliever.
This year I didn’t really follow a patter, well I did, the patter I followed from isn’t made into an outfit, it was just a sewing my aunt did for something else, I like the design and decided to add my own taste to what she has done already, her’s was all blue thread on white fabric, I decided to do a blood red with white outline on black. I somehow like the color but it doesn’t look “new”.
I am unsure if I am done with the apron yet, I want to add something to it, but I am unsure of what to put in, I want to cover all the black inside with something else and not leave it blank, but that means more work for me to do and another thing is, I honestly cannot think of what else I can add inside in between the blacks. I am thinking about making the inside white outline thicker by adding another white line on each line inside, but that means more work and I am unsure if I would like it more or less.. it’s a hard dilemma.
I am trying to keep this outfit closer to the more modern look with the short apron and a different design. My mom isn’t a big fan of these kinds of designs, but she said since I am doing it for myself and since I like it than she has no problem with me. I have a lot of outfits that I don’t ever wear, but i feel like they are all almost the same so I am working on a whole different one from the ones I am used to.
The apron is the hardest I have to work on, because I did not copy this from another outfit, I had to do the whole apron almost from scratch, I needed to find a way for all the shells/snails to fit with each other on the bottom of the apron so I had to brain storm all the possibilities to the apron. I must had undone some sewing at least 10 times before I finally got what I wanted. But I have to say, so far so good!! I just cannot wait to finish his project!!
I am still debating about what color the shirt should be. With the color scheme I had picked, I am leaning a lot on black fabric for the whole shirt and also I am thinking about driving to NC to buy some new dresses to go with my outfit. Not just that, but I am also thinking about making my own matching hat to go with the outfit, that means I’ll have to really put a lot of time into this paj ntaub. I am thinking about sewing a matching belt that goes on top of the red sash to go with the outfit as well and also lub dab tsho as well. WHEW!! So much to do and so little time!!!
I am glad I still have some red threads left over which should be enough to make the matching hat, belt and dab tsho. When I first started I was on a tight red thread budget, I only had a limited amount of them and it’ll be hard to purchase any matching thread since these thread were purchased more than 10 years ago when we were still living in CA. I took them from my aunt since I liked the color and she had them for over 10 years and had not used them before. I also only have limited amount of the white thread too so i have to be very careful with what I want to do with the white threads.
After this project is done, I have two other project to work on. I have an idea for another outfit I really want to make and hope to complete before the Hmong New Year, but thats impossible since I have a more important project to work on (for my mom) after I finish this project, and this project I’ll need to finish it before the Hmong New Years. My mom wants me to bead the coins on the purses for the Hmong clothes and that takes up a lot of time as well. I believe my mom has a whole lot for me to work on.
So what do you guys think? Add more to the sewing or should I just leave it at that and have it that way only? Any idea and suggestions on what I should do inside if I DO add more patterns and designs?
I know it’s kind of hard to see against the red background.
6 responses to My Paj Ntaub Project, 2010
i like the colors on black. i don’t think you should do two lines of white on the apron because it just bring out the white more then the red snail. still it is really good.
Thanks Lee!! I had decided to not do the extra line of the white outline, I do agree, if i do so, the white lines will be too over powering! Thanks so much!!
I don’t think you should add more to it. I think it looks nice the way it is. In a way, from the way i see it, if you add more, it’ll look hecka busy since your patterns already look busy enough. And i see you’ve already begin to outline the other stuff too, i think it’s fine the way it is.
Moze, you make me want to do an hmong outfit too.
I might start one for 2011 and see where i go with it. Should i? Hrrm….
Lasia, I agree thats why I decided to leave it as that and it also means I’ll be done faster! ahahaha
Girl go make an outfit, it’s easy! Just take a lot of time
I like the simple design,looks great as is. I have to say that your craftsmanship has improved from last year, I know you’ll be proud wearing it at the Hmong New Year.
Nye, I decided to take everyone’s advance and keep it as is, it’ll be easier for me and less time. Thanks, I know I cannot wait to wear it at the new year this year!!