Friends, what are your views on African
inspired prints?
I've been kind of oblivious to date,
until recently seeing these three gorgeous dresses: by Heather of
Closet Case Files, Lauren of Lladybird and Cassie Louise.
Now I'm consumed by thoughts of getting my grubby hands on some and
stumbling across The African Fabric Shop has made this a dangerously tangible possibility.
My absolute favourites have to be the
African Wax Prints, especially the stunning birdcage one and the yummy apple one! The black and white prints could look very chic too.
Wax Prints
But look at all these other interesting prints too, some of which are hand dyed! The elephants are too cute for words and the batiks are also very appealing to me.
Oh and the array of animal prints - brilliantly labelled Wild Skins - is sublime! Anyone with me on animal prints or do you think they're tacky?
So what do you think? Do any of these tempt you or do you find them too outlandish? Have you ever bought fabric from The African Fabric Shop and would you recommend it?
I love the African wax prints. Made a skirt out of African fabric albeit not African Wax.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I'll have to rummage through your blog to find it ;o)
DeleteI've seen some great sundresses from these prints. I think the trick is to add a bold contrast in piping or a colour band. Surprise lay this tones down the impact go the print.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very good idea!
DeleteAll of those are amazing! The Langa Lapu prints are beautifully subtle.
ReplyDeleteThey really are aren't they!
DeleteI think these are beautiful I especially love the hand dyed BAtik ones you have picked. I have bookmarked that site thank you . HAve you seen the cute buttons for sale on there ?
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't actually! Dare I look? My poor wages :o(
DeleteI am all for a mad print - the madder the better!! I only found out about African prints recently, I think it was from a wax print dress on So-Zo's blog. I bought a metre of African Wax on ebay to use as pockets and facings on a denim skirt I'm making, and was surprised at the stiffness of it, but it softened considerably after washing. I'll be interested to read others' opinions on it. I can so see me making dresses from fabric like this, and thank you for the shop link, I haven't seen this shop before.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I remember Zoe's dress now...gorgeous! I think I imagined wax prints to be stiff and I guess they work better for structured dresses / items. Thanks for the heads up though and I guess washing before using is a must (as always)!
DeleteThese are gorgeous! I love bright, bold prints, but I'm not a huge fan of florals usually, so these are right up my alley! And I agree with you that animal prints are super fun!
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of florals?!? I should ban you from my blog for that comment, apart from your so darned cute and amazing ;o) These prints are a good compromise for someone like you then I guess!
DeleteThose are amazing. I've admired that sort of print on Goldhawk Road before but never plucked up the courage to make something. The black and white ones are particularly appealing. I will certainly be bookmarking that link, thanks!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Do let me know if you buy anything of this fabric and make it up, would love to see it!
DeleteI love African fabrics! I ordered several pieces from the African fabric shop about two or three years ago, and can recommend them. They sell by the FQ so I assume their stuff is intended primarily for quilters. That didn't stop me ordering about four different garments' worth though :)
ReplyDeleteI think the only slight problem is that when the fabrics arrived, they are so beautiful that they have remained untouched in stash for about two years! I can't bear to cut into them, just get the pieces out every now and then and look at them and then put them away to await the 'perfect' project in the future ;-)
Haha, this sounds exactly like the kind of thing I would do ;o)
DeleteWell, we know how I feel about them ("let's get married wax print. Elope?") but that shop you found is the SHIT! I am going to lose my mind on there! I really dig that stripe tie dye and the batik too... Also it seems like you may be more directly benefiting the people who make these materials since she buys direct from people who make them at home. What a treat! Can't wait to lose a few hours fabric stalking. Thanks love!
ReplyDeleteOn second glance,it seems a little pricey, no? Maybe its the pound conversion that's hurting my brain. I'm not sure how far you are from London but I guarantee there is some magical African fabric shop there that would probably make both of our heads explode. HOW TO FIND IT? My guess would be to stop the next African lady you see wearing one of those crazy awesome booty hugging maxi dresses and ask her where she got it/fabric. I should maybe ask someone in Montreal since there is a big Ghanese population here and I see the most amazing wax print dresses on women all the time....
ReplyDeleteYou are probably right about the price being tad high on this website. It's nice to know they are an 'ethical' business, but as you say, I'm sure there are more affordable places to buy from!
DeleteThey are fabulous. I especially like the birdcage one. I think they can look really good made up in quite a tailored and fitted style.
ReplyDeleteThe birdcage one is my favourite too! I agree that you would need a solid pattern for these, maybe an early sixties number ;o)
DeleteYou see... I love the look but there are too many connotations. I once bought 6 yards of dutch wax from Brixton market, but I was too shy to wear it out and about in south London. I felt like I was trying to be too "colonial". Maybe times have changed, but there was definitely a time when skinny litle white girls (like me) could not get away with wearing African prints without a lot of tooth-sucking from work colleagues.
ReplyDeleteBut saying this... Dolly Clackett looks great in her dress. And Leicester is not Brixton.
Go for it!
Roo, I'd never thought of it that way before! Thank you for sharing your insight...
DeleteI've got some at home. loads actually. Will send you pics of them, and you can select yours. My mom is coming from Cameroon soon, so she will be bringing more for me, and I can pass some more unto you. You need to be careful though because some of them are colour fast, so you will need to be careful when washing them.
ReplyDeleteOh wow Dibs, this is so, so kind of you! I'd love to see what you have and I'm of course willing to pay for your kindness! xx
DeleteThese are awesome. I especially like the birdcage one and African Fabrics. thanks a lot for share it.
ReplyDelete