Wednesday, March 31, 2021

March Monthly Mini

 

As you may recall, last May I requested orphan blocks for our “Community Supper” quilt. Some of you sent more than one block so I could choose which to use. Luann (Luann’s Loose Threads) sent 2 blocks, which I used front and back (here) and she also sent a stack of indigo and chocolate fabrics printed in South Africa. I have been ruminating on these gorgeous fabrics ever since. 

 I’ve been inspired by Cynthia’s (Wabi Sabi Quilts) boro style mini quilts for a long time. And, when Barb (Fun with Barb) made her January mini in the boro style (here), the lightbulb finally went on and I dug out these fantastic fabrics to make one of my own. 

I pillow cased the edges and then laid the pieces out and simply stitched over them. 

 When I showed the fabrics to Barb (via Zoom), she said they were called Swhe Shwe fabrics, so I quickly looked them up.

 These fabrics are sometimes called 'Three Cats' - a reference to the distinctive logo stamped on the back of the fabric. Originally, Shwe Shwe was produced in Manchester for export to South Africa. Today, it is made in South Africa by Da Gama Textiles. Traditionally, Shwe Shwe was always indigo, with the occasional red or chocolate brown design. 


 This fabric is on the stiff side so my fingers are a bit sore from pulling the chunky thread through. As you can see my stitching is very organic. The pillowcase edging was a bit of a challenge with such a thin piece of wool batting, but it was a good learning experience. It was fun trying a new method. 

I found a fun map of regional fabrics from the different countries in Africa.  


I was going to call it “Shwe Shwe” because I love the sound of those words, but I thought it more fitting to honor both the style and the fabrics so I’m calling it “East Meets South”. Besides, I have enough fabric left over for one or possibly two more minis, so I’ll save that name for another day. 

 Thanks a million, to Cynthia, Barb and Luann for inspiring this fun monthly mini!

 Now let’s see what my fellow quilters have created. There are some gems this month! Please let me know if I have missed anyone. You are always welcome to join the mini party!

 Quilting Babcia (Amity Quilter)

Randy (Barrister’s Block)

Cathy (Big Lake Quilter)

Barb (Fun with Barb)

Gladi (Gladi’s Quilts)

Shasta (High Road Quilter)

Robin (I Like to Create) 

Julie (Julie K Quilts)

Kathy (Kathy’s Quilts)

Katy (Katy Quilts)

Sandy (My Material Creations)

Angie (Quilting on the Crescent)

Barbara (Quilts, Gravestones and Elusive Ancestors)

Janet (Rogue Quilts)

Kyle (Timeless Reflections)

Cynthia (Wabi-Sabi Quilts)

20 comments:

  1. I love it! Love the piece, and love your method. Maybe it’s time for me to to pull out those indigo scraps again ...

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  2. Let me know if you need more SA fabric, I have some I picked up when we lived there.

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  3. Wendy, this is boro style mini is simply wonderful! I love the free-spirited nature of what you and Cynthia are making. I've always loved African fabrics though have never had any authentic quilting fabrics from there. There is something so special about all the ethnic fabrics from around the world. Thanks too for sharing the map!

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  4. My goodness, this is so fun! I have been loving Cynthia's quilts. Just last night I was showing hers to my DIL who teaches art at a University in our state. She loves the art form of collage, and these have a collage feel to me. She was very impressed with Cynthia's little quilts. Now I will need to show her yours, too.
    I don't have cool, exotic fabrics, so that will be my excuse for not making something like this, when the real reason is that I wouldn't know how.

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  5. I always love what you create. I've had some of those fabrics as well. And yes, they are stiff. I like the simplicity of your design and the "organic" quilting. I love that we can all influence and inspire each other.

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  6. I love these fabrics! They smell wonderful. Washing them makes them soft and more workable. Mine were purchased at Paduch festival about 10years ago--Cotton in the Cabin, I think--but I don't know if anyone in the US is selling them now.

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  7. I love these fabrics! They smell wonderful. Washing them makes them soft and more workable. Mine were purchased at Paduch festival about 10years ago--Cotton in the Cabin, I think--but I don't know if anyone in the US is selling them now.

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  8. I love these fabrics! They smell wonderful. Washing them makes them soft and more workable. Mine were purchased at Paduch festival about 10years ago--Cotton in the Cabin, I think--but I don't know if anyone in the US is selling them now.

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    1. I bought lots of indigos from Cotton in the Cabin over the years! Some of her fabrics were washed & others were not. She included washing instructions with those that weren't. I think synthropol was necessary to get all the extra dye out.

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  9. Wendy I'm so delighted and flattered and I'm so happy to see your beautiful creation! It's very organic and beautiful. I had never heard of "Shwe Shwe" and I learned something new. I just received a dress I ordered Zuri (sourced and made in Kenya) and I LOVE it, to wear as a jacket more or less.

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  10. What fun, Wendy! Love what you did with those fabrics and especially for trying something new. I once had a piece of that fabric with the cat on the back. Now I can't think of where I used it :)

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  11. Those fabrics are fascinating--love the prints. I think I've found something new to collect--lol! Your mini is charming and I'm impressed that you were able to do that hand quilting.

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  12. I love those shwe shwe fabrics and your stitching sets them off perfectly! take care!

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  13. What fun! Love what you did with the fabrics and the fabric history/geography lesson!

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  14. I LOVE your mini this month. You nailed the aesthetic.
    The print map is awesome. I have to send it to my friend who grew up in Rhodesia and lived in South Africa and Bahrain.
    Thanks for hosting.....I missed this month sorry.

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  15. Wow! That is really terrific! The cat motif is really cool. I have some indigo fabric and it is a bit thicker. I hope you used a thimble!!

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  16. So lovely... the back is as wonderful as the front!
    I will send the link to my friend Celeste who sells Shweshwe fabric in Canada.
    Thanks for the monthly mini party!

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  17. Oh Wendy, your March mini came out great!
    What an interesting story about the fabric. Now I understand what you two were talking about on our zoom call!
    I actually have quite a bit of Kente cloth from my days as a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia (West Africa). I need to do something with them.
    My March mini is being posted next.
    Thanks for the inspiration, as always!
    xxxx
    ps: how long until mid-May??? ;-))

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  18. I love that you have combined the African fabrics and Japanese approach; it seems like an excellent match. I also like your wobbly quilting, which seems exactly right.

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  19. What a sweet little mini! Love the boro look. This kind of texture is just too delicious!:)

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