In 1982 Da Gama Textiles first started production of German Print in SA, in the Eastern Cape, under the 'Three Leopards' logo, which is the African version of the 'Three Cats.' The recipe for the dye is a closely guarded secret and it is a synthetic, unlike the original indigo dyes. There are many different designs printed on these fabrics, which are usually blue but may also be printed in maroon and brown. The Xhosa ladies still wear these dresses."

Jami, I did some research on your question...very interesting. I think the dresses or fabric itself is called shwe-shwe for the sound it makes as in the "swishing" of a skirt when walking. The xhosa women still where these today and it's making quite a fashion statement!!

Great galloping gumdrops! My but you girls are on the ball! Yes, it is SHWE-SHWE and the original colour was INDIGO. The other colours are red (definitely nowhere near maroon) and brown. The browns are quite nice. The stamp at the back of the fabric authenticates them and is usually the "three cats" or "three leopards" but girls who have collected the fabric for years have "three fish" stamps as well (very old). The indigo fabric has to be washed very well to get rid of excess dye - we usually put our blue jeans in with the fabric when they get washed to give them a face-lift .

Mary

P.S. I've just finished a quilt using indigo shwe-shwe - will post a photo in due course.

P.P.S. Don't agree that it's a fashion statement for the ladies to make their dresses out of shwe-shwe - they are going more for the bright colourful fabrics BUT the Xhosa women do have a new dress made once a year out of a particular patterned indigo shwe-shwe for an annual festival.

Mary

Mary, I would love to see a picture of your quilt. In reading about shwe shwe it said that it was becoming very fashionable as it was being used on the "runways" and looked really nice in different attire...I don't know much about it but it was very interesting. I'll bet the quilt is beautiful. And boy do I have some jeans that could use a face lift!!
Cathy (Gigi)

As Connie would say,....."next question"

That's must be my cue!!!

The Revolutionary war battle of Saratoga, October 17, 1777, is commemorated by what quilt pattern?

History buffs here's your question.

Burgoyne surrounded

Very good Meg!!! That is correct.

Connie

"Burgoyne surrounded"

oh . . . wait . . . meg already answered . . . gotta get quicker on the clicker . . .
LOL

next ?????