Creating Nigerian Wedding Hand Fans: A Traditional Craft Guide

Nigerian traditional wedding hand fans are a beautiful and functional accessory for any wedding celebration. Hand fans are often used as bridal accessories, adding a touch of elegance and culture to the bride's ensemble. They can also be utilised as wedding favours, providing guests with a memorable and practical token of the special day. With a variety of designs, colours, and materials to choose from, Nigerian wedding hand fans offer a unique way to incorporate cultural heritage into modern celebrations. From vibrant Ankara prints to intricate feather embellishments, these fans are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve as a meaningful symbol of Nigerian tradition. In this discussion, we will delve into the creative process of crafting these exquisite hand fans, exploring the materials, techniques, and cultural significance behind this timeless wedding accessory.

Choosing the right fabric and print

When it comes to choosing the right fabric and print for your Nigerian traditional wedding hand fan, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to select a fabric that is lightweight and breathable, as this will be comfortable to hold and wave during the wedding celebrations. Some popular fabric options include silk, bamboo, leather, and cotton. Choosing a fabric with vibrant colours and intricate patterns will also add to the festive and cultural significance of the fan.

Ankara print is a popular choice for Nigerian hand fans and can be found in a variety of eye-catching designs. This fabric is often made into folding fans, which are practical and easy to carry. You can also opt for a feather hand fan, which exudes elegance and luxury. Feathers can be paired with other materials such as leather to create a unique and stylish fan.

If you're looking for a more sustainable option, consider a hand-woven fan made from natural materials like raffia, seagrass, or animal skin. These fans are not only environmentally friendly but also showcase traditional craftsmanship. When selecting the print for your fan, consider the overall theme and colour palette of your wedding. You can choose a single colour or a combination of colours that complement each other.

For a more personalised touch, you can customise your hand fan with graphics, text, or monograms. This adds a unique element to your wedding celebrations and can also serve as a memorable keepsake for your guests. When choosing the right fabric and print, it's important to strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality. The fan should not only look beautiful but also be effective in providing a gentle breeze and enhancing the festive atmosphere of the wedding.

Adding leather handles

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need soft, flexible leather in your desired colour, a sharp craft knife or scissors, leather glue, and decorative elements like beads or embroidery thread.

Step 2: Measure and Cut the Leather

Measure the width of the fan where you want the handle to be. Cut a strip of leather that is slightly longer than the width of the fan and about 2-3 inches wide. This will give you enough leather to create a comfortable handle.

Step 3: Attach the Leather to the Fan

Spread a thin layer of leather glue along the edge of the fan where you want the handle to be attached. Carefully place the leather strip onto the glued area, making sure it is centred and straight. Press and hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure a strong bond.

Step 4: Embellish the Handle

You can decorate the leather handle with beads, embroidery, or other decorative elements. Be creative and choose colours and patterns that complement the fan's fabric. You can glue on the beads or use a needle and thread to sew them securely in place.

Step 5: Let it Dry and Enjoy Your Fan

Allow the glue to dry completely before using the fan. This will ensure that the handle is securely attached. Now you can enjoy your beautiful Nigerian traditional wedding hand fan with a leather handle!

Step 6: Optional - Add a Wrist Strap

If you want to be able to hold the fan without gripping the handle, you can add a wrist strap. Cut a thin strip of leather and glue or sew it to the handle, creating a loop that is large enough for your wrist to fit through comfortably.

Folding techniques

Basic Fold

This simple technique is easy to master and creates a elegant, functional fan.

• Start with a square piece of fabric, preferably a thin, breathable material like cotton or silk.
• Fold the fabric diagonally to form a triangle.
• Fold the fabric again, creating a smaller triangle.
• Repeat this folding process until you have a narrow strip of fabric.
• Carefully fold the strip of fabric in half, bringing the two ends together to form a handle.
• Secure the handle with a stitch or a decorative ribbon.
• Pleated Fold

This technique adds a bit of volume and texture to the fan:

• Begin with a rectangular piece of fabric, with the short edge facing you.
• Fold the fabric in half, bringing the bottom edge up to meet the top edge.
• Fold the fabric in half again, creating a smaller rectangle.
• Open the top layer of the fabric and create a series of small, even pleats.
• Fold the bottom layer of fabric up to meet the top, encasing the pleats in between the layers.
• Secure the two ends together to form a handle, using a stitch or ribbon.
• Accordion Fold

This technique creates a fan with a more intricate, decorative look:

• Start with a square piece of fabric.
• Fold the fabric diagonally to form a triangle, as in the basic fold.
• Fold the triangle in half, bringing the two long edges together.
• Fold the fabric into a series of small, even pleats, creating an accordion-like effect.
• Secure the pleats in place by wrapping a ribbon or thin piece of fabric around the centre.
• Carefully open the pleats to reveal a beautiful, textured fan.
• Bolga Fan Fold

This technique is inspired by traditional Ghanaian fans:

• Start with a rectangular piece of fabric, with the long edge facing you.
• Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, then fold it in half again, creating a long, narrow strip.
• Roll the strip of fabric from one end to the other, creating a tight cylinder.
• Secure the rolled fabric with a stitch or a small amount of glue.
• Attach a handle to one end of the cylinder, using a piece of leather or sturdy ribbon.

These techniques provide a range of options for creating beautiful, functional Nigerian traditional wedding hand fans. With a variety of folding methods and fabric choices, you can create unique and elegant fans to enhance any wedding celebration.

Feather and pearl embellishments

To make a Nigerian traditional wedding hand fan with feather and pearl embellishments, you'll need to gather your materials and tools. Here's a list of what you'll need:

Materials:

• Feathers: Look for feathers in your desired colour and size. You can choose from a variety of options like ostrich feathers, marabou feathers, or even coloured feathers to match your wedding theme.
• Pearls: Small faux pearls in varying sizes will add a delicate touch to your fan.
• Fan Base: You can use a pre-made feather fan base or create your own by attaching feathers to a sturdy handle.
• Embellishments: Rhinestones, beads, or other decorative items can be used to add more sparkle and detail to your fan.
• Glue: A strong adhesive suitable for both feathers and pearls is essential.
• Fabric: Choose a fabric that complements your feathers and overall colour scheme. This could be silk, satin, or a traditional African print fabric.

Tools:

• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Needle and thread
• Pliers (optional)

Once you have your materials and tools, follow these steps:

• Prepare the feathers: Sort and arrange the feathers by size and colour to create a gradient or pattern for your fan.
• Assemble the fan base: If you're using a pre-made fan base, skip this step. Otherwise, gather a bunch of feathers and secure them together at the base using wire or a tight binding. Then, attach this to a handle made of wood, plastic, or metal.
• Attach the fabric: Cut the fabric into a circular or semi-circular shape, depending on your preferred fan shape. Secure it to the fan base using glue or stitching.
• Embellish with feathers and pearls: Start by gluing the largest feathers to the fan, placing them in a pleasing arrangement. Fill in any gaps with smaller feathers. Then, add pearls among the feathers, using different sizes and colours to create visual interest. You can also use pliers to bend the pearls' attachments for a more natural look.
• Finish with final touches: Once you're happy with the placement of feathers and pearls, carefully glue any loose ends and add any additional embellishments, like rhinestones or beads.

Your Nigerian traditional wedding hand fan with feather and pearl embellishments is now complete! Feel free to experiment with different colours, fabrics, and embellishments to make a fan that truly reflects your style.

Customising with colours and graphics

Nigerian traditional wedding hand fans can be customised with colours and graphics to match the wedding theme or the bridal party's attire.

Fabric

Ankara print fabric is a popular choice for Nigerian hand fans. This colourful fabric features vibrant wax print patterns and designs in traditional African styles. You can also find hand fans made from other fabrics such as leather, bamboo, or raffia.

Feathers

Feathers are another common feature of Nigerian wedding hand fans, with many options available in various colours. White, black, gold, and purple are some of the feather colours mentioned. You can also find multi-coloured feather fans or fans with feather brooches.

Customisation

Some sellers offer customisable hand fans, allowing you to personalise your order with specific colours or graphics. You can add your own designs or choose from pre-made designs offered by the seller. This option is great for incorporating wedding themes, colour schemes, or cultural motifs.

Combinations

You can also find hand fans that combine different materials, such as fabric with leather handles, or feather fans with pearl or crystal embellishments. These combinations offer more opportunities for customisation to match your desired style or theme.

Shapes and Sizes

Nigerian wedding hand fans come in various shapes and sizes, including round, semi-circle, and folding fans. You can choose a shape and size that best suits your needs and further customise it with colours and graphics of your choice.

Frequently asked questions