FREE Shweshwe Sample Want to see what genuine Shweshwe is like? Call us or put 'Shweshwe Sample' and your post details in a message on our contact page HERE and we'll send you some with our compliments. |
NEW FABRICS
New colourways for the Quilters Collection
Christmas prints
Dolphins from the new Gardenia Collection
New Shweshwe Fancy Prints Click HERE for more |
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Find out more about traditional South African Shweshwe fabric in this section. You can view each of the Shweshwe Collections by selecting them from the menu on the left.
South Africa produces amazing ranges of African cotton fabrics. Probably the most famous is Shweshwe, worn in one form or other for hundreds of years and made in South Africa since 1982. It was made more popular internationally by Nelson Mandela, who is often seen wearing a Shweshwe shirt.
Now entirely manufactured in South Africa, Shweshwe is possibly so-named because of the ‘swish-swish’ of the fabric as it moves when worn as a dress or skirt. The fabric has a gentle stiffness which disappears after the first wash, to be replaced by a beautifully soft, easy to manage fresh cotton making it ideal for patchwork, quilting and home garment sewing. Shweshwe is also robust, making it a unique soft furnishing fabric as well. You can read more about the history of Shweshwe here ...
The unique ranges of 'Three Cats', '3 Leopards' 'Toto' and 'Fancy Prints' 100% cotton fabrics are all authenticated by trade mark stamps on the reverse of the fabric during the manufacturing process. Traditional colours are Indigo, Red, Rich Chocolate, Chocolate / Yellow and the new Purple.
Typical use in South Africa has been for traditional ceremonies in rural areas, ensuring a constant demand for Shweshwe. Special designs are also produced for important occasions such as royal birthdays and national festivals.
Today Shweshwe has become fashionable beyond its traditional usage and praise must go to young South African designers for their renewed interest in this traditional national heritage. As visitors to South Africa will see for themselves, Shweshwe fabric can be seen on the streets in everyday work and fashion wear. It is also found in shoes, handbags and other accessories such as spectacle cases. If you would like to receive a free CD of Shweshwe fashion pictures go to the Contact Us page and put 'Fashion CD' in the message with your postal details. Alternatively, call us on (UK) 0845 230 1054.