Celeste Compion of Meerkat Shweshwe Quilts gave us a marvelous trunk show today.
Celeste is originally from South Africa and moved to Canada with her husband in 2001.
She introduced us to Shweshwe cotton. It's long history takes us back to when cotton was found in India and brought to Europe, where linen and wools were the predominant fabrics. Colours were also introduced. Indigo blue is from India, Calico is from Calcutta.
Because it had to travel by sea the material was coated with a waxy starch to protect it from the elements and/or vermins.
To this day the material still has that starchy feel and must be washed in warm water to dissolve this sizing.
On her website - meerkatshweshwe.com Celeste provides all information to care for this cotton.
Shweshwe cotton is made by DaGama Textiles in Zwelitsha, South Africa. It is an equal opportunity employer and the employees have a share in the company.
Celeste is originally from South Africa and moved to Canada with her husband in 2001.
She introduced us to Shweshwe cotton. It's long history takes us back to when cotton was found in India and brought to Europe, where linen and wools were the predominant fabrics. Colours were also introduced. Indigo blue is from India, Calico is from Calcutta.
Because it had to travel by sea the material was coated with a waxy starch to protect it from the elements and/or vermins.
To this day the material still has that starchy feel and must be washed in warm water to dissolve this sizing.
On her website - meerkatshweshwe.com Celeste provides all information to care for this cotton.
Shweshwe cotton is made by DaGama Textiles in Zwelitsha, South Africa. It is an equal opportunity employer and the employees have a share in the company.
