Shweshwe Fabric - Guest Speaker

My guilds guest speaker was Celeste of Meerkat Shweshwe Fabrics. What an enjoyable speaker! She took us through the history of Shweshwe and it's South African roots. She talked about the influence of Europeans and indigo. How colour has emerged as the youth of South Africa move into the cities.

beautiful array of colours

Celeste is an excellent speaker holding everyone's attention. I can't begin to do justice to the history of the Spruce manufacturing or 'Three Cats' trademark, to read more about the history of Shweshwe go to Celeste Meerkat's website.

we had a full house and getting good pictures of her quilts was difficult.

In the above photo she used both sides of the Shweshwe fabric.

the dots are orange

The fabric is stiff from the manufacturing process and needs to be prewashed before being used.

  

Guild Guest Speaker- Sew Fresh Quilts

Today at my guild 'Quaker Quilters Guild we had a guest speaker Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts. I have been following Lorna's blog for a few years and have even tested for her. What a pleasure to meet her in person!

Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts and me

She is a wonderful speaker, everyone commented on how much they enjoyed her trunk show. She brought humour and knowledge along with her many quilts.  She readily shared some of her techniques, such as how she does her wavy line quilting using a walking foot. She is one talented lady! An interesting fact I didn't know she was a welder before a quilter. Seeing her designs and quilts up close was a real treat. 

A small sampling of the quilts she brought along today.

Black birds

That's Lorna peeking over Fox and Friends

Santa's Reindeer from her Christmas Quilt Along 'Have a Jolly Little Christmas'

From her 'Have a Jolly Little Christmas' winter mittens, poinsettia, and reindeer runners

Canada 150 

I helped hold up quilts this one is Kissy Fishy

Monkey see Monkey Do

I hope your day was as good as mine!