My passion for African fabrics and design
My passion for Africa and its textiles began over twenty yeara ago while I was working and travelling across Africa as a cook for an overland safari company.
Today, as I continue travelling in Africa, I am still learning and discovering new fabrics and African textile traditions.
Using African fabrics
It's a recurring question. "I love your African fabrics, but what can a do with them?"
The answer, of course, is, "Anything you like. Be creative!"
Adventure Packs of African fabrics
My popular Adventure Packs are randomly selected bundle of fabrics, all from the same range. They're a great way to taste a variety of African fabrics.
Amafu hand-dyed fabrics from South Africa
These wonderful hand-dyed fabrics are truly unique. Two ranges available: Hand-dyed screen prints in vibrant colours (pictured) and subtle discharge prints in copper and silver.
Hand-dyed batik from West Africa
Because these fabrics are hand produced, every piece is unique. The fabric is 100% cotton, either a subtle Damask or plain weave.
The dyers use a variety of techniques - including stamping, stitching and tieing to create their designs. Both chemical dyes and natural Indigo are used.
Kola nut and Indigo fabrics from The Gambia
These fabrics are hand-printed and dyed using natural dyes. I've had a tremendous time learning how to do this on my trips to The Gambia. All fabrics are 100% cotton.
Kudinda screen prints from Zimbabwe
Kudinda is a Shona word meaning "to print" or "to stamp." These exciting patterns are very popular for patchwork and quilting, furnishing and dressmaking projects. All fabrics are 100% cotton.
Langa Lapu sun prints from South Africa
Langa Lapu means "sun cloth" in the Xhosa language of South Africa. And a bit of African sunshine is just what these colourful prints bring to any textile project. All fabrics are 100% cotton.
Musa's hand-dyed batiks from The Gambia
Musa Jaiteh creates a variety of wonderful African designs using wax resist stamping. Four patterns: Fish, Gecko, Huts and Trees, and Two Huts. Five colourways: Red, orange, blue, green and purple. All fabrics are 100% cotton.
Shwe Shwe fabric from South Africa
A delicate white pattern on a rich Indigo background, this is the famous "Manchester Blue" or "Three Cats" fabric that used to be printed here in England, but now comes from South Africa. I normally stock a few red, brown and gold patterns to complement the blues, as well as plain Indigo. All fabrics are 100% cotton.
Wax Print fabrics from Ghana
African wax print fabrics are printed using a unique mechanical process developed to imitate handmade Indonesian batik. The technique is now used exclusively to produce African wax print fabrics. Most of my wax prints come from Ghana. All fabrics are 100% cotton.
Safari Prints and Wild Skins
Quality craft prints, perfect for projects with a safari theme. All fabrics are 100% cotton.
Egyptian Cotton
When you think of quality cotton, chances are you think "Egyptian". There's a very good reason for that. Egyptian cotton fabrics are known for their fine weave and texture, as well as their great colours. I stock a range of colours, from subtle earth tones to bright and vibrant.
