Cost Effective Way Of Making A DIY Danshiki Shirt
The danshiki is a colorful garment for men and women worn mostly in West Africa. It is called Kitenge in East Africa and has been a dominant wear in Tanzania and later Kenya. It is also known as Java since it is worn in Indonesia. It covers the top half of the body.
Wikipedia
The danshiki is literally my favorite thing to wear because it's so colorful and comfortable. This particular print is very unique and African, little wonder it's so popular. A lot of times I see Black Americans who want to 'connect to their roots' wear this danshiki print and it makes me wonder who made this print the trademark of the continent.
An original danshiki in this print sells for $10, that's a lot in Nigeria I promise. It's 4000 Nigerian Naira, most families don't make up to that a day. Heck, sometimes I don't make the in a week on hive.
Anyway, I wanted one of these shirts, I used to have one my close friend gifted me but another friend forcefully took it from me. I won't lie, I'm still pained about that shirt because it was my gift and the best quality danshiki.
My mum has this danshiki print dress she made from gifted fabric sometime ago. The leftover was made into a headtie she doesn't use so I decided to use it for a DIY danshiki shirt.
The Making
I marked my shirt pattern on the fabric, adding 3 inches extra to my measurements because it is a breezy shirt. I then cut it out.
Using my sleeve pattern, I cut out a short sleeve of about 8 inches length, adding extra 2 inches on the sides.
I cut an interface for the front and back necklines to turn over the rough edges.
Next, I joined the front and back pieces at the shoulder and sewed on both sleeves.
Danshikis usually come with patch pockets so I cut out two squares of about 10 inches length and 8 inches width. The fabric wasn't enough to cut them out in one piece so there was a joining in the middle of each piece. I sewed the pockets to the left and right of the front piece.
Lastly, I closed the side seams, leaving a short slit on both sides.
The Result
That's how I made my Danshiki from a head tie at no extra cost!
Thanks for reading!
