Christine Covert/Isa2 Jobarteh , classroom art project, New Jeswang, The Gambia 2005
The Adinkra Moon Over Sun Symbolizes Partnership
My WEB STORE is located at www.africanfabricsales.com
My first trip to Africa in 1995 seeded a desire to share the aesthetics of the Experience in African through the medium of its fabrics. My curiosity led me to study scholarly writing where it could be found regarding traditional and emerging practices in African Textile History. My color sense and design sense are continually challenged when I apprehend new factory printed designs. The artisans, whether efficiently mass producing by hand the popular “Tchup” (pot dyed fabric) that changes with Fashion or lavishing long hours hand embroidering abstract designs onto bridal skirt wrappers, further their place in the world market through their efforts, producing designs that are startling in their scale or combinations of color. Truly wonderful is appearance of the bright and swirling garments in the ever changing sea of people encountered in the village and urban landscape, in the busy markets and festive local ceremonies.
Here we will talk about the fabric in its everyday practicality. Here I will share the fruits of my scholarly interests, and send you off looking for more information to inform your efforts. Here you may also share your thoughts or questions, and here you can also address someone else’s questions or share a picture of something you have made using African fabric.
Here I will post the link to a brief weekly radio program I present through an African music program called Mostly Manding, and link you to its archives. Here also will I share with you some of my own creative efforts in the Pages called My African Photographs and in My Africa Paintings.
This site is the work of Christine Covert, whose life long interest in Africa has brought her to this point. She is inspired by such writings as this my Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’ We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”, Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3])
Dear Christine,
I met you yesterday at the gathering and was admiring the indigo quilt and contemplating buying the bundle of fabric. Do you still have any left? If so, I would like to purchase a bundle.
Please contact me…
Thanks!
-lauré
Hi Christine,
Do you sell any finished African quilts. I LOVE the printed fabric.
Thanks!
Kim
Hi Kim,
I confess I am not much of a quilter myself, but tell you what, I’ll put a shout out to quilters I know who make quilts with African Fabric–or even folks who read this blog–and ma be we can get a list of quilters who sell finished quilts using Africa fabric going…I’ll be at a show next month and I can ask around then too.
Best wishes,
Christine/Isa2
i was wondering where one might find african prints on stretch material?
i have looked everywhere, and i live in nyc! no one will fess up as to where it can be found.
i know it exists, i have seen it used in garments. thank you in advance for your reply.
I wish I could help you, maybe another reader can. If it could be found, one would imagine the City would be the place…
Isa2
Respected Sirs & Madam,
We have noticed that you do not have your details added in the Textile World Directory.
Being part of the Textile & Fabric industry, it is very important for you and your company to be present in the largest Textile Database in the world.
Please add yourself in the Textile World Directory by visiting ( http://www.texdirectory.com/company-detail.html )
All inclusions are FREE!
Thank you and Best Regards,
Awais Mumtaz
Textile World Directory (www.texdirectory.com)
i just came across your site by chance, lovely site, lovely fabrics. please keep it up
cheers
efe
suirequest@gmail.com
Hi there,
I am working with a not for profit named Desert Soul from Namibia, Africa. We are building a website that needs images terribly – but as you would guess we do not have enough money to pay for these images. I am writing to you today, with “Hat in Hand” asking if you might allow us to use images of your fabrics as headers and texture – I feel confident that Desert Soul would be very happy to give you and your blog credit – I don’t know where you are located but if you would like to chat please feel free to email me
Hi David
Be my guest and I’d appreciate links. I may have scanned the fabric images but I do not own the designs. Best of luck with your project.
Isa2a
Christine,
I’m really sorry to read that you might not continue selling the beautiful cloth.
I’m writing to ask if you would share information about my textile workshop in Ghana with anyone who might like to make their own cloth.
Details are at: http://www.culturalcollaborative.org/textile2012.pdf
Many Thanks,
Ellie
Dear ,
Writing to you from Kuwait.
I am looking for wax printed african fabric.
Do you have samples?
Awaiting?
Kalasini
Dear Christine,
I have a question about purchasing African fabric for commercial use. Do you have a private email I can contact you through? If so please send me a short reply to the above email address.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Philippa