Sold per piece, each 35 in. wide x 36 in. (1 yards) long. Shweshwe fabric has a rich history. In the 1800s, French missionaries presented indigo-dyed fabric to King Moshoeshoe I of the Sotho people, and shoeshoe (or shweshwe) fabric took off from there! German missionaries also introduced it to the Xhosa people, and its popularity spread all over South Africa.
One of the most famous brands, Three Cats, based in Manchester, England at the time, was a key source of shweshwe. In fact, the waxy coating, which gives the fabric its signature feel and scent, was used to protect the fabric during the long voyage! Until 1982, the brand was exclusively printed there. That year, Da Gama Textiles gained the right to produce the fabric, until taking the exclusive rights in 1990.
The shweshwe fabric available from Artistic Artifacts was produced sometime between 1982 and 1990, before Da Gama gained exclusive rights. With 28 stunning patterns to choose from, you can own an important piece of textile history.
Da Gama Textiles offers the following Original Shweshwe Wash Care Instructions — “We recommend washing your shweshwe before sewing/makeup, so it is softer & easier to work with. Standard Wash Guidelines: Wash separately at 40°C (104°F). Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry. Do not dry clean. Warm iron. Average shrinkage: 8%.”
