Let us introduce you to our colourful world of beautiful African print fabric! Their unique patterns and vibrant colours help you feel instantly happier, which is why we love using them to make modern Afrocentric clothing.
These versatile fabrics can also be used to add touches of African interior design styles to your living space. They are fun to wear and can add warmth, texture, and a cosy feel to your home décor. In fact, they can be used to make pretty much anything!
Continue reading to learn more about African print fabric including its history, hidden meanings, production, designs, uses, wash care advice, and more.
African wax print fabric is made from 100% cotton cloth, which is commonly used to make clothing, accessories, and other products in Africa. It can also be referred to as Kitenge, Chitenge, Dutch Wax or Ankara fabric. A ‘whole’ piece of kitenge fabric is 12 yards in length but can be purchased in ‘half’ pieces, 6 yards in length. The width of the fabric varies between different manufacturers; it is usually 45 to 48 inches.
The method of producing the fabric is called batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique and ancient art form that originates from Indonesia. The print design and colours look the same on both the front and back sides of the fabric. The quality of the fabric depends on the type of cotton cloth and the manufacturing processes used.
When the Dutch colonised Indonesia, their merchants discovered batik fabrics and brought samples back to The Netherlands. Dutch textile manufacturers developed ways to print the fabric in bulk by machine and started to produce cheaper batik-inspired imitation fabrics. These new fabrics were not popular in Indonesia, as the original batik fabrics were preferred. However, they were well received when imported into West Africa in the 1880s.
West African soldiers brought batik fabrics home after serving in Indonesia and this made the fabrics popular. Several different manufacturers in Europe, including the British and Dutch, produced the fabric for many years before manufacturing expanded to African countries.
Grey cloth inspection before ankara fabric production
In recent years, there has been a surge in manufacturing of the fabrics in Asia (mainly India and China). The fabrics they produce are lower quality and cheaper compared to authentic fabrics produced in West Africa.
Learn how to tell the difference between authentic and counterfeit African wax print fabric.
Traditional batik-making techniques are still practiced in African countries such as Ghana. Small-scale workshops, usually run by entrepreneurs, create beautiful fabrics by hand with no machinery involved. They carve the designs onto sponge blocks before printing the wax onto the fabric.
A batik sponge block design from a factory in Ghana and the finished fabric
The fabrics worn by African women are sometimes used as a way of non-verbal communication due to their well-known hidden meanings. The colours and symbols used in each print design can symbolise a tribe, marriage, and social status of the wearer.
After the fabrics are designed, printed, and distributed to markets, particularly in West Africa, the women who wear the cloth create the stories and hidden meanings behind them. This information is then passed back to the manufacturer who gives the fabric a new catchy name.
For example, there is a popular Ghanaian print known as ‘Speed Bird’ with multiple birds flying in the same direction. This pattern means you can be ‘rich today, poor tomorrow’ as money can easily fly away.
The ‘Speed Bird‘ design (left) and ‘Record‘ design (right) by Vlisco
Another popular print in Ghana is called ‘Nsu Bura’, which is an Akan word for ‘water well’. The ripples of water that are visible when water is collected from a well are represented by the tiny dots in the design.
It symbolises how whatever you do, good or bad, can have an impact on those around you. In Nigeria, this print is also known as the ‘Record Disc’ as the round patterns look similar to old vinyl records.
The basic steps of African wax print fabric production include:
The manufacturer may also add one of the colours by block printing part of the design onto the fabric by hand.
Each batch of the same fabric design can look slightly different due to the varying colour tones and random cracking effect.
There is many different African print fabric styles and designs, which change frequently at the markets in Africa. It can be difficult to purchase the same fabric twice unless you purchase from a physical shop or online. Examples of printed fabric designs include flowers, plants, animal print (particularly birds), tribal print African fabric, and geometric shapes…
The ‘Feather’ (left) and ‘Big Bang’ (right) ankara fabric designs printed in Ghana
The ‘Zing’ (left) and ‘Bonsu’ (right) ankara fabric designs printed in Ghana
African print fabric has many uses:
Kitenge Store founder, Sian, wearing an African print shirt and a piece of kitenge wrapped around her legs like an apron when cooking in Tanzania
African wax print fabric sofa cushion covers and curtains
African wax print fabric napkins by QÄSA QÄSA and bunting by Kitenge Store
African print lampshades handmade by Tropikala using Kitenge Store fabrics
African print lampshade handmade using Kitenge Store fabric and plant pot covers both by Tropikala
Learn about the best African wax print fabrics for home interior design.
Pretty much anything you can think of can be made by using African print fabric; it’s extremely versatile which is what makes it so popular.
Tip: If you’re using the fabric to make clothing then you can recycle the fabric offcuts to make matching accessories.
African print bow tie, hairband and a reusable tote bag by Kitenge Store
African print fabrics can be washed by hand or in the machine using cold water (30 degrees is best). Use a mild washing powder and a gentle machine setting such as ‘hand wash’. Line dry outside away from direct sunlight as it can cause the colours to fade.
Read our guide on how to wash African print fabric.
Colourful African print fabric inside a washing machine
Tip: Planning to use the fabric to make clothing or cushions? First, pre-wash the fabric in the machine to prevent shrinkage in future washes.
In April 2020, we launched our colourful and unique range of African print fabric on our African boutique online! Our popular and quirky fabric prints are available to purchase alongside our fabulous range of made to measure clothing.
Kitenge Store’s authentic ankara fabric can be purchased in various lengths (1 to 6 yards). Simply choose your preferred fabric(s) and add how many yards you would like to your basket. There may also be some fat quarters available for quilters and craftspeople.
There is a broad range of gorgeous patterns, styles, and colours to choose from, including the following examples:
Red Floral and Pink/Orange Flower African Print Fabric by Kitenge Store
Yellow/Red/Blue Peacock and Blue/Green/Purple Flower African Print Fabric by Kitenge Store
Kitenge Store’s authentic, high-quality fabrics are printed in Nigeria, West Africa, using locally grown cotton. They are sourced from a family-run, small business in Tanzania, East Africa.
Kitenge Store Founder, Sian, visiting our fabric supplier in Tanzania
All fabrics are shipped promptly from Tanzania (within 1-2 business days) to worldwide destinations by recorded post or courier. Delivery takes up to 10-14 days by recorded post or within 2-5 days by courier (DHL).
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We’re more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding African print fabric. Please do get in touch by emailing info@kitengestore.com. Follow us on social media to keep up to date with all the exciting projects and fabrics we’re bringing out for you to try.
What is African print fabric?
African print fabric, also known as ‘kitenge’ or ‘Ankara’ fabric, is 100% cotton cloth. The method of producing African print fabric is called batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique. The design and colours look the same on both sides of the fabric. The width of the fabric is 46 to 48 inches, and the length is usually 6 or 12 yards.
Where can I buy African print fabric?
African print fabric can be purchased in stores, markets or online. It’s important to know how to tell the difference between real and fake African print fabric when choosing where to buy from. Kitenge proudly supports the African textile industry by only sourcing authentic African print fabric, which is available to purchase by the yard.
How can I sew African Print Fabric to create my own items?
Brightly coloured African print fabric is fun to use when sewing your own clothing, accessories or home décor items. We recommend choosing a simple sewing pattern, carefully decide where you would like to position key parts of the motif and pre-wash the fabric before first use.
Is African Fabric comfortable to wear?
African wax print fabric is extremely comfortable to wear. We receive lots of great feedback from our customers about how comfortable our authentic ankara fabrics are to wear. The more you wash African print fabric the softer it becomes. The fabric is 100% cotton which is a breathable, natural fibre.
How is African fabric made?
The African print fabric production process is complex and time-consuming. Melted wax is printed by machine onto both sides of the fabric. The cloth is put inside an indigo dye bath. A machine cracks the wax to create different effects. Printing machines add two or three colours. The cloth is washed to remove the wax. Different finishes may be applied.
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