If you thought that Ankara fabrics were to be used only in the manufacture of clothes, then you may want to consider rethinking. In this post, I will be showing you 5 super cool ways to utilize your Ankara fabric. Interestingly, they are easy do-it-yourself (DIY) tips. It is really fun carrying them out during your leisure period. This particular post is just to create awareness; if I can create enough time, I will be giving detailed tutorials in my future posts.

Most of you may be familiar with some (if not all) of these ways. Don’t worry; I included a little tip at the end of each listing to keep you engaged. As for those of you that may be new to most of this, and show interest in one or more, you can always source for video tutorials on YouTube concerning them. There are lots of video tutorials on how to play around with your Ankara materials, on the internet. Better still, you can just exercise a little patience till I post the tutorials for some of them.

It’s really lovely to have your clothing accessories wrapped with your favourite Ankara fabric. I find this unique and lovely; to have your bags/purse as well as your shoes wrapped with the same fabric that you’re putting on. It makes you look so attractive and well, “complete”. This does not mean that it is a must to wrap every accessory you have, with Ankara fabrics, as it is time-consuming. You can always do it yourself, or get it done by professionals. I advise learning and doing it by yourself so that you can improve your level of creativity and save costs. This will ensure that you have complete control over your fabric.

As I said earlier, please note that this post is just for informational purposes. I intend giving solid tutorials later on. Ensure you keep visiting this site.

1. Wrapping Bags & Purses

credits|Etsy & DealDey

Bags and purses appear lovely when wrapped with any beautiful Ankara fabric. Though wrapping backpacks with Ankara fabric is a bit tough, but a lot easier with purses. You can do this with any old or worn out purse (or bag), as the case may be. The beauty of the Ankara fabric will cover the wears and tears of the bag.

This should reduce the cost of purchasing a new purse every single time, as it will be a futile effort discouraging the ladies not to spend money on bags and shoes. This is because, we ladies, just love bags and shoes and can still look for more, even if we have a lot of them. As for the guys, you can learn how to design beautiful bags and shoes with Ankara fabrics, and make money off the ladies.

Tip: Glues are often used to ensure that the Ankara fabrics stay in place. Although, if the bag is already peeling, it may not stick well to the Ankara fabric, and even if it does, there will surely be air bubbles after the refashioning. To prevent this, ensure you scrape off the peeled parts with a sandpaper, if possible. If not possible, ensure you use a very strong glue or an adhesive like “hot glue”, with a cardboard paper beneath (if feasible).

2. Clothing buttons for clothes or Bibs

credits: Christie Brown | Pinterest

Buttons are not only used for fastening clothes. They are also used for beautifying clothes and for bib necklaces. Clothing buttons with Ankara fabrics are very easy.

• First, you want to ensure that your fabric and button is ready.
• Then, you measure the size of the button with a measuring tape or any measuring instrument you have available.
• Multiply the measurement by 2 and indicate it on your fabric horizontally and vertically, forming a square. Ensure that you add at least ⅟2 inch allowance before cutting.
• Cut it out (should be in a square format). If the fabric is light, ensure you fold it twice before cutting, if not just go ahead.
• Apply glue to the fabric.
• Cover the whole button with it and glue
• While glueing, ensure that there are no wrinkles.

If you feel the above method is too complicated, you can just get an Ankara material and a button, apply glue to the button and wrap it with the Ankara fabric. Don’t forget to trim off the excess left.

Tip: When using a button on an Ankara cloth, to be fashionable, you must not use the same material of your fabric, on the button. You can decide to use a different plain or flowered material which has one or two matching colours on the fabric.

3. For Covering your Favourite Diaries or Books

credits|Emdee

There is nothing much to say here. You can decide to clothe your favourite book or diary with a beautiful Ankara fabric. This makes it look stylish. I often did this while in school. I ensured that all my books were wrapped up in my favourite Ankara fabric. Some of my friends paid me to do same for them. It is really easy doing this. If the fabric is not thick, it will be nice if you doubled it, before glueing it to your book.

Tip: You may want to consider cutting out space with a razor blade to enable you to write your name. Better still, you can embroider your name on the fabric before attaching it to your books. If you are an author, you may want to consider this; but be sure to print the name of the book on the Ankara fabric and use as the book’s cover.

4. Designing Curtains

credits: Cinnabar | Pinterest

If you are looking for a fast, cheap and easy way to change the look of any of your rooms, be it the living room or bedroom, then you should consider the use of curtains. Curtains add a special beauty to any room. Curtains are to be changed periodically, to refashion your room, with an outstanding facelift. It may look stressful, but actually, it is very easy cutting out a rectangular shape out of your Ankara fabric to use as a curtain. Ankara fabrics intensify the beauty of any room. If using a white curtain, you can decide to patch it with beautiful Ankara fabrics or apply it to the edges of the curtain.

Tip: Ensure that you use a light Ankara fabric to make the curtain, to ensure proper ventilation. You may also want to ensure that the fabric used is not transparent, for privacy.

5. Wrapping Shoes

credits|Picquery & Nairaland

Finally, you should be familiar with this. It’s pretty easy wrapping your shoes with Ankara fabrics. Though, the level of difficulty depends on the complexity of the shoe. You may want to start out with a simple shoe. It often is not as easy as cutting out a fabric, applying “hot glue” to your shoe and wrapping the shoe with the whole fabric. You have to apply some other precautions (More on this later). After this, ensure that you spread the fabric on the shoe, by rubbing it with your hands, to prevent what I call “wrinkles” on the shoe. After this, carefully use a razor to cut the parts of the fabric that are covering the openings. After this, you can decide to tuck in the rest of the trimmed fabric inside the shoe, and glue.

Tip: Add “designer stones” on the Ankara fabrics with glue, to make it glaring and beautiful.

These are easy DIY tutorials that you can play around with during your free time. You can always search on YouTube (recommended) or search on Google concerning intensive tutorials on this. The more you practice, the more you improve your skills on these tips. The more you improve on them, and then the world at large will be opened for you to market your creative and attractive products. You can sell them online on Jumia or create an online store and ship them overseas.

The ball is in your court. Say “NO” to Idleness.

If you have any comments or questions to ask, the comment box is always opened for you to air your views.