The Lara Threads Difference
If you are wondering why you should choose a Lara Threads African print ankara pillow cover or accessory, you've come to the right place.
I am offering you an opportunity to Buy Better. By choosing Lara Threads, you can be sure that you are, indeed, getting something that is high-quality and more carefully and thoughtfully crafted than mass market alternatives.
Products Made to Last
African wax ankara fabric is typically 100% cotton and is most often used to make clothing because the fabric is soft and breathable. While the fabric is strong and durable, some items that are handled daily should ideally be made from fabric (or other materials) that can withstand heavy handling. Most Lara Threads accessories are interfaced to add durability and structure and to ensure that your purchase lasts as long as you want.
Uncommon Designs
Some ankara designs are ubiquitous and seem to dominate the large marketplaces that offer products made from ankara fabric. While some of those prints are indeed eye-catching, their omnipresence in these markets, hence everywhere else, detracts from one of the key qualities that makes ankara so beloved in Africa—variety. When I source fabric for Lara Threads, some directly from Nigeria, I choose prints that stand out from the pack to create products that are anything but ordinary.
High-Quality Fabric & Notions
From the Oeko-Tex certified 100% cotton fabric used to back the beverage napkins to the high-quality D-rings and hooks in the travel rolls and wrist straps to the smooth opening zippers that allow you to remove and switch covers if you wish, you can be sure that the parts incorporated into the products you buy from Lara Threads are top quality.
Handcrafted in Boston, USA
I cut and sew every item with careful attention-to-detail. For example, pillow covers have tapered corners so that there are no dog-eared, floppy corners after the insert is placed. Travel rolls are doubly interfaced for softness, structure, and durability. The slots are precisely sewn and reinforced at the corners to withstand heavy use.
Nothing Goes to Waste
Sustainability practices are incorporated into the fabric of Lara Threads. To minimize waste, all accessories are crafted from fabric that is too small to make pillow covers. All items are shipped in minimal, eco-friendly packaging—tags are printed on recycled paper, hemp twine is used to attach the tags to the products, and all outer shipping products are made from recycled, reuseable plastic. And, of course, Buying Better means less trash.
Artisan's Connections
I am from Nigeria and I appreciate the nuanced history of ankara as well as the special place that ankara material and designs hold in the Yoruba culture and other cultures in Africa. I am delighted to share this fondness with anyone from any culture who also appreciates and wants to showcase the gorgeous designs and versatility of the fabric.