Lulu Oniang'o crafted six vibrant hand towels for Sina, infusing each with a unique Kitenge design and personalized symbols, creating a truly beautiful and functional ensemble. What's your wish?
A request by Sina Uti-Waziri from Rheinstetten, Germany
6 small uni-colour hand towels (approximately 29 cm x 45cm) with Kitenge border, Kitenge loop for hanging and a small (approx. 4×4 cm) symbol sown onto both sides – also from Kitenge material. Symbols should be different for each towel and could be star, moon, circle, triangle, cloud, tree – I am open for suggestions. Colours of the towels could be 2x blue, 2x green, 2x orange. The Kitenge material should be colourful but no purple or pink.
The Journey of Creating Custom made hand towels with Kitenge border
Negotiation & Planning
I would recommend using readymade towels for this project since the terry cloth available in the market is not heavy enough for this kind of technique. Ready made handmade towels are approximately 40cm x 60cm so for each color, we can use one, cut it in half and create a pair. Finished towel size will be approximately 30cm x 40 Cm
I think it is a good idea to use one larger towel for each colour and cut it into two halves. Please go ahead with that.
I would like to increase the number to 10 hand towels. Can you please forward a quotation for this increased number?
Regards,
Sina
Thank you for your response. Kindly let me know how many towels to designate to each color.
True, I didn't mention the colours. It could be 2xblue and 2x orange. Thanks
Crafting Process
Artisan’s Progress Updates
I will send pictures of the colors and the fabric print options that I plan to work with later this week, before Friday. Once confirmed production should take no more than 4 business days.
Based on your color preferences, these are the prints I've managed to find; if there are any specific ones you'd like me to use kindly choose from the letters noted on the pictures. Thank you.
Nice ones! I love N, J, and D.
Thank you.
Noted, with thanks.
Would you like the towels to have loops for hanging?
Yes please, I want loops. In the same material as the border.
I like the powerful colours of the towels.
Great! I'm glad to hear that.
We are finalizing the embroidery today and intend to put the symbol on the corner marked X I wanted to advise that since you requested a symbol on both sides I means that the bottom threads will appear on the other side of the fabric; so shall we put the alternative symbol at part marked W? Below the loop.
As far as the symbols are concerned for the additional towels kindly let me know if we can do an appliqué monogram letter in the matching kitenge fabric and if yes, which letter to use; I have attached a picture for reference from a different project
Thank you for the update. X as position of the symbols is fine. The reason why i wanted symbols on both sides was to hide the threads on the back side. If you think that the threads will not go well with the symbols then you can use the W, as suggested.
I didn't see a picture with letters from kitenge material. I think you posted two pictures with the symbol positions. I generally would prefer a symbol rather than a letter.
Ok we might repeat 2 or 3 symbols since the towels are 10. No hearts right?
Sorry the picture failed to upload. We use matching color threads to the towel for the back so the outline will be seen but it will be a tidy outline.
Nice!
Correct, no hearts.
Items are ready
Thank you!
Final Delivery – The Completed Piece in Photos
Customer Photos After Delivery
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON000472E-1788
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
26.32
|
| Cost of labour |
47
|
| Cost of packaging |
0.94
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
2.35
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
76.61
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
7.66
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
7.66
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
15
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
20.32
|
| Total |
127.25
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
