16/04/2026
DON'T WAIT TILL YOU GRADUATE
As an apprentice in 2018, I had to seek out ways to sort out stuff for practicals and support myself while I learnt the skill. I wasn't living too far from my boss's store, so transport fare wasn't really an issue. But I had to cater for things that would make my learning process smoother.
So, my entrepreneurial side came alive again, and since I didn't know how to make any clothes yet but I could pedal the machine, I played with designing plain shirts with ankara patches. I started with my old shirts, and when I wore them, I got compliments on how lovely they looked. I borrowed 5k from my brother (he say make I pay am on my wedding day🤣🤣), traveled from Bauchi to Jos and shopped for a few plain shirts in Terminus, and designed them with ankara patches. The first batch sold out too quickly and I restocked.
Over time, I contracted a male tailor close to our store to make matching ankara trousers or knickers for each shirt design, and I sold a lot of them too.
I had to stop when my hands got better at female dressmaking so I could serve my boss fully and continue earning from there too.
Dear Fashion Student, you don't have to wait till you graduate from fashion school or do your freedom before you begin to make money from your craft.
Once you can pedal the machine and sew neatly, you can learn simple things like throw pillows, headbands, bonnets, etc., and sell to earn money to cover transportation, lunch, and practicals. Unless you have something else that earns you money as a fashion student. If not, some days might be frustrating and lack of funds would slow your learning process.
I'm rooting for you.
📷One of my shirt designs in 2018
゚viralシ