HOW TO MAKE ANKARA HAND WATCH
What you would need:
- A long strip of fabric ;
About 4 inches thick and at least 3 times the perimeter of your wrist. , It could be any scrap fabric you have at home. The fabric we are using is called ankara, an african textile. - A watch face;
Either brand new or from an old watch - needle and thread, or sewing machine or fabric iron on adhesive.
- A pair of scissors
- An iron
- A measuring tape
- Tailoring chalk (optional)
Step 1- Cut and shape the fabric
The first thing you need to do is measure your wrist and then multiply whatever value you get by 3.
Step 2. Then measure your piece of cloth and cut it according to the measurements you got. The length should be the value you got previously and the width, 4 inches thick
Step 3. Next, fold the fabric into two, making sure that you fold it with the ‘out-side’ of the fabric being inside the fold. Then iron it flat.
Step 4. Next, take the iron on adhesive, measure it to the length of your fabric, place it in between the open longer edge of your fabric and then iron it down. The adhesive I used was quite thick and had a paper back attached to one side of it. So I cut it into two and then ironed it down on one side, peeled off the paper back and then ironed the fabric together.
Step 5. Do the same thing for one of the smaller edges of the fabric as shown below. You should have the long edge sealed and one small edge sealed as well.
Step 6. Now, you need to close up the other small edge of the fabric. To do so, flatten out the fabric by pressing your palm across it’s length… pick up the fabric, fold it in a little bit (just enough for the adhesive to lie on). Then, cut a small piece of the adhesive, place it in between the opening and iron it down like you did before. Then iron the whole strap flat and voila!!! you have your fabric strap
Step 7. Put on the face of watch and u are done