How to Shop for Ankara Fabric: Makola Market, Accra

One of my favorite pastimes is getting lost in the maze of fabric stalls at Makola Market. The immense selection of fabrics is overwhelming and exciting all at once. There’re thousands of fabrics to sift through!! It’s nearly impossible to leave the market without at least one item you like.

The first time I went fabric shopping I definitely didn’t go alone. My seamstress and friend, Ivy , traveled along with me to show me the ropes. She’s a local and knew exactly where to go. It’s very easy to loose your way in Makola Market if you don’t know where you’re going.

If you’re traveling to Accra on vacation and are not used to hectic market settings, save yourself some grief and go to Makola with a someone who knows the ins and outs.

My Tips and Tricks

1. Shop early in the morning. Makola Market is in the heart of the city. There’s an endless flow of people going in and out of the market on a daily basis, so it’s best to go during low traffic times. In addition to the crowds, the heat in Ghana is something serious. Pack water and comfortable walking shoes. I like to go between 6am- 9am. Anytime after that is just stressful. Because there’s so much going on in the market and so many fabrics, leave enough time to actually shop. I definitely shopped for a good two hours the first time I visited Makola.
2. Have a design or silhouette in mind before shopping. While it’s fun to just shop for fabrics that catch your eye, it’s important to have a vision in mind when creating an outfit from scratch. Not all prints translate the same when actually made into a garment. Searching through Pinterest and Instagram hashtags provide great sources of inspiration when it comes to outfit creation. Check out my Pinterest board here: (My Pinterest). I usually bring a picture or screenshot of the look I’m trying to create.
3. Know how much fabric you actually need. If you have a clear design in mind don’t over pay for fabric you don’t need. Fabrics are always sold by the yard. When going to the market ask the vendor if the fabric is sold as a whole unit (usually 6 or 12 yards) or if they cut the fabric based on your desired amount. If the vendor sells per individual yard they will cut the fabric for you right there in the stall.
4. Knowing your body size and shape can also help you or the seller determine how much fabric you need. I like to wear a tank top and a casual skirt while shopping so it’s easy to approximate how much fabric I need, based on my silhouette. I typically use about 4 yards for a simple knee-length dress.
5. Don’t be afraid to get hands-on with the fabrics. The fabrics are usually folded and stacked pretty tight so you may need to ask the vendors to pull them for you to see the designs more clearly. Also, because there are so many different options, shop around before you decide on what you’re buying. Don’t let the vendors pressure you to make an impulse buy. You can always come back to a stall after you’ve looked around. Returns are kind of frowned upon at Makola so be really sure when you make a purchase
6. Know the quality of fabric you’re paying for. There is a huge difference between paying for a Vlisco brand fabric and paying for a China-made (aka ‘hitarget’) fabric. The overall quality, feel and longevity all depends on the brand. Most fabric will have a sticker label on it to help you to see which brand you’re buying. The current average price per yard is roughly 10 ghs (about $1.85). I can usually get 6 yards for around 60 ghs (about $11) for a basic fabric. Higher quality brands may be more expensive for 6 yards (70- 150ghs) depending on the seller. Common brands and fabric types you’ll encounter include: GPT (Ghana Textile Printing), Vlisco, Woodin, Printex and hitarget.
7. Find a quality seamstress who can hook you up. There are so many people who are gifted seamstresses in Ghana. Currently I’ve loved working with Wendy Finishing and Ivy. They always help bring my designs to life at affordable prices. If someone is trying to charge you over 150 ghs to sew a basic ankara dress they’re ripping you off. Find someone who will give you a reasonable price!

*What are your experiences shopping for fabrics? Share and comment below. Subscribe to my blog for more updates on all things fashion, music and travel.