To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Shweshwe Fabric from South Africa
We’ve got some really exciting news! We now stock Shweshwe fabric from South Africa. We are starting with a selection of 10 new prints from the Three Cats range.
Shweshwe or shwe shwe is a printed dyed cotton fabric widely used for traditional South African clothing and now for even more uses. Originally dyed indigo, the fabric is now produced in a variety of colours and designs usually of intricate geometric patterns. It is also sometimes referred to as ‘German Print’, ‘Ujamani’ or ‘Blauwdruk’.
FABRIC FACTS
The name shweshwe is said to be derived from the fabric’s association with Lesotho’s King Moshoeshoe I, of the Basotho who was gifted with the fabric by French missionaries in the 1840s and subsequently popularised it.
The fabric is trademarked and is manufactured by Da Gama Textiles in the Zwelitsha township outside King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
The Three Cats brand is one of the most popular brands of the fabric; identifiable from the 3 CATS backstamp that confirms the products are ‘THE ORIGINAL SHWESHWE’.
The fabric has a distinctive stiffness when new and this is attributed to the starch historically used to preserve the fabric during long sea voyages for transportation. The fabric, when brand new, still comes quite stiff from the manufacturers so make sure you wash before you start your sewing project.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours!
Check out our selection of via this link: Shweshwe fabric selection
2 replies to “Shweshwe Fabric from South Africa”
Edna Gilika
I like your fabrics, how do I order material from yourselves.
dolapo
Thank you. All our fabric is available to purchase on http://www.urbanstax.com/shop
Related Posts
Types of African Textiles- The Glossary Project
We aim to explore the different types of African textiles in this project. The African continent is often referred to as one monolith. Some even reference it as though it …
Fabric of the Week: Household Gravel
I have always thought of this print as a leopard print and even saw someone describe it as a giraffe print (yes I know, a giraffe print doesn’t spring to …
Wax Prints: Names, Symbols and Meanings
Ever wondered about African print names and meanings? Over time, a lot of wax prints have acquired nicknames from the markets they are sold in and from the fabric sellers …
What is Shweshwe?
Ever thought to yourself, what is shweshwe?. Shweshwe aka shoeshoe aka isishweshwe is a printed cotton fabric that is manufactured in South Africa. The formal name for shweshwe is ‘Indigo-dyed discharge …