INTRODUCTION: THE AFRICAN BOUBOU
An African Boubou is a comfortable garment for home or casual outings. It's a one-size-fits-all garment that's loose-fitting and the fabric simply flows as you walk around. It can be made from lightweight cotton or polyester fabrics, long to the ankles or shorter, to the knees.
All these different types of African Boubous are available on Kingdom of Africa . When I was a child, I remember my grandmother making several of these and carrying them around the house. I find them really pretty and so easy to make. I chose a 100% light cotton fabric , with a small leopard print.
This project took me three hours in total, from start to finish.
STEP 1: SUPPLIES
To make your African Boubou, you will need:
- 3-2/3 yards of 45" wide cotton fabric. (pre-wash fabric before cutting)
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Thread
- Tape measure
Accompanying note:
For a shorter boubou that ends at the knee, you would only need about 3 yards of fabric.
STEP 2: FOLD THE FABRIC
Cut 12" off the bottom of the fabric. This is for the waistband. Take the rest (3-1/3 yards) and fold it in half so it is 45" wide and the fold is at the top.
Fold in half again, this time lengthwise. It should be approximately 20 cm wide and 30 cm long.
STEP 3: NECK OPENING
Fold the top corner down and measure 4" from the tip. Cut this section off. This will make an opening in the middle for the head to fit through.
STEP 4: ROUND THE CORNERS
Take the measuring tape and measure 8" from the bottom corners. Cut the corners at this mark. This will prevent them from lying on the floor when the Boubou is worn. Set aside the cut pieces, you will need them to face the neck opening and belt holes.
STEP 5: BELT
Take the piece of fabric for the waistband, it should be 12' wide x 45" long. Fold it in half lengthwise and cut the fold. So you now have 2 pieces 6" wide x 45" long. Sew these pieces together at the short ends. You now have a piece that is 6" wide x 89" long. Fold it in half lengthwise and iron it. Open and fold the outer edges towards the center fold line. Fold in half again and pin. Using the sewing machine, sew along the entire length of the waistband.
STEP 6: BINDING FOR THE COLLAR OPENING
Take the pieces you cut out from the bottom corners and diagonally cut 3 strips 2 inches wide. Sew them end to end until you have a strip approximately 32" long. Pin this strip right side out to the neck opening and sew with a 1/4" seam allowance all around. Overlap approximately 1". Trim the excess. Fold toward the inside of the garment and fold over. Pin the cuff all around the neckline opening. Sew either with a sewing machine or by hand.
STEP 7: FACING THE BELT HOLES
Take what's left of the cut corners and cut out 4 3" x 4" rectangles. I personally cut them out with my pleating scissors, but if you don't have pleating scissors, turn under each edge 1/4" then turn under again another 1/4", sew all around each rectangle .
STEP 8: SEWING THE BELT HOLES
There will be a total of 4 holes for the belt to pass through, 2 on the front of the garment and 2 in the back. Technically you could just sew 4 large holes like a buttonhole, but I think it needs reinforcement because over time it would tear. This is why I sew the facing inside. To find the location of the holes, fold the garment at the shoulders and neck. Place the Boubou on a flat surface (large table or floor). Measure from the shoulder 17". Now measure from the side (selvedge) 10". Where these 2 points meet is where the holes for the belt go. Or, if you want, you can try it out and pin where you think they should go. In any case, the 4 holes must be equidistant from each other. Place a safety pin to mark the 4 points.
Pin each of the four rectangles facing each other, to the right of each other, up to the caftan where the hole for the belt will be. At the center of this point, sew a 1" wide x 2" long rectangle to the center of the facing. Cut down the center towards the corners, but be careful not to cut into the seam.
Turn the facing inward and pin.
Stitch around each siding 1/4" from the edge, securing it in place.
STEP 9: SIDE SEAMS
Fold the Boubou at shoulder level, on the wrong side. Measure 20" from the shoulder. (Just below the holes for the belt) This is where you will start sewing the side seam. Sew approximately 18" with a 1/2" seam allowance. Repeat l operation on the other side.
STEP 10: FINISHES
Turn under the sleeve edges on both sides and hem. Turn the underside out and pin the bottom edge and around the curve. Make the hem with the sewing machine. Turn the right side over and place the belt into the belt holes. And that's all there is to it!
CONCLUSION: MAKE YOUR BOUBOU
This African Boubou would be a great sewing project for beginners. Also discover this magnificent 👉 blue African boubou .. It is a mixture of polyester and cotton.
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