Shweshwe

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Inspiring Images

May 28, 2009 in Inspiration by wendren | No comments

Neville Trickett has an amazing talent of finding the common thread between two images that make them stronger together, and as one image. He has put together ’series of composites’ and I find each one as inspiring as the other however, to keep this blog post short and reader friendly I put myself through the terrible process of choosing a my favourite collection(s) and of each, a favourite pair of images.

The RenaissanceI love these images becuase they are so elegant, subtle, and the sense is of harmony. I love what Neville explains as the essence of Renaissance design: “Reducing the clutter in favor of the meaning.”

Soft and PowderyI love these images becuase they are wonderful. The colour, texture and facial expression on the little girl is so expressive yet plain. Love the juxtaposition.

Neo RealI am a fan of botanical drawings so how could I NOT love these images above. So delicate and I love the translation into glass with the wrought iron twists. As Neville puts it: “…inspection of the most microscopic of detail with the touch and feel of the familiar.”

Dress CodeI had to add this collection in because when I was a little girl I dreamt that for one day everybody would have to wear ‘big’ dresses, like in olden-day-times. The one on the right is made from Shweshwe and I would LOVE to wear it.

Nature of PrintThe purple-dipped butterfly is too gorgeous for words placed together with the image on the left.

Escape to RealityI love how the aloe on the left radiates out and the textile on the right creates a lovely flowing feeling that compliments as an opening flower.

Natural History of ThingsThis collection is probably my favourite. The leopard placed with a old autumn leaf could not be more beautiful. Simple, the correlation between the two is obvious and yet precarious.

As you can see there are an abundance of beautiful pictures on Sain Verde Digest.

The latest Wren bags and birds

May 21, 2008 in Wren by wendren | 2 comments

2 New Big Town Bags & 5 new Bird Pouches are available at the Wren shop.

Wren introduces it’s first interior product

May 8, 2008 in Wren by wendren | 3 comments

I’ve been dieing to use my wonderful collection of fabrics for some interior products and have finally gotten down to it. Here is my latest creation and addition to the Wren Label : “Tie-me-up” Cushion Covers.

The outside fabric is a soft version of Shweshwe (i.e. unstarched). The patterns on these fabrics are wonderfully detailed and graphic and the basic use of white and midnight blue work so well together…. I am an absolute Shweshwe fan. To add some ‘zing’ to the cushions, the inner part (the part which hides the actual cushion) is in a bright or not-so-bright colour cotton. This really adds that little bit of sparkle to the cushion and takes it from being just sophisticated to fun as well.

Another great thing about these cushions is how wonderful they are to mix and match. The base fabric is always white and indigo/midnight blue, the pattern changes but the scale remains the same and the inside colour which peeks out, if you choose, can be different. I cannot decide if I want to put my collection outside on the patio or inside on the wooden bench….um…

If you would like one…or two…or three of these cushion covers, head over to my etsy shop to view the collection.

The Wren BIG TOWN BAG has arrived!!

April 7, 2008 in Wren by wendren | 3 comments

I am both proud and excited to present to you the new BIG TOWN WREN BAG!

It is 30% bigger than the Small Town Wren Bag (the one you are familiar with), the inside zip is bigger and it includes a pen and notepad pocket which doubles up as a wallet pocket.

You can fit just about anything into the BIG TOWN BAG including your 15″ laptop, 1litre water bottle, reading book(s), A4 notepad and magazines. It can also double up as a beach and tog bag fitting a towel and other gear in. I also hear it can serve as a good diaper bag….

The Wren Big Town Bag is exactly the same in design as the Wren Small Town Bag. Each one is completely unique and is either made from the South African fabric Shweshwe or from the ends of English linen and cotton fabric rolls.

There is a hidden and lined exterior pocket which is perfect for your ipod, cellphone, keys or coins. The interior is fused and lined in a complimentary colour to the fabric exterior design.

There are 4 pockets inside: On one side there is a cellphone, notepad/wallet and pen pocket and on the other side there is a 8-10″ zip in a complimentary colour.

Each bag, like the Small Town Bag, comes with a special hand-picked and died French perfumed lavender pouch from Franschoek in South Africa. This is perfect for keeping your bag or draws smelling great.

The bag is closed by two hidden magnets which are very strong but will NOT cause your cellphone, laptop or any other electrical objects any damage.

The bag is approximately 16″x4″ at the bottom and 13″ high. The shoulder straps are approximately 25″.

Once again, the Wren Big Town Bag is supremely crafted by hand in and by South African(s). Great care is taken to ensure that it is of the highest quality standards so that it can last you a long long time.

Also, remember that the Wren Big Town Bag has special packaging. It is wrapped in a hand-made map of South Africa paper-bag.

BIG TOWN WREN BAGS in shop!

April 7, 2008 in Wren by wendren | No comments

Jacobean Wren Big Town Bag

The base fabric of the ‘Jacobean bag’ reminds me of William Morris and Matthew Williamson designs. It is decorative, detailed and so beautiful. The colours of this fabric bring it into the 21st century with aquamarine, cyan, teal, rust, burlywood and touches of old gold. The inside is lined with chocolate brown linen and the zip is cream.

Circle indigo & purple Shweshwe Wren Big Town Bag

I have a special place in my heart for all Shweshwe print bags. The ‘Circle or fan resist-dyed indigo print bag’ is highlighted by deep crimson piping and lined with deep purple cotton. It is a wonderful colour combination.

Coral garden damask Wren Big Town Bag

This bag (above) has a deep coral coloured base and rose chintz damask by Corington at the top. The interior is blue-grey with matching zip. It is a simple bag with intricate detail and beautiful finishes.

Chocolate and vanilla Shweshwe triangles Wren Big Town Bag

The ‘Chocolate and vanilla triangle resist-dyed Shweshwe print bag’ is an absolute wonder. It is lined with dark emerald green fresco fabric and has a vanilla zip.

Navy aloe Wren Big Town Bag

The ‘Navy aloe bag’ is printed by Da Gama Textiles (the same company that prints Shweshwe fabrics) and the print has a definite African and geometric taste. This Aloe plant print is navy blue and off-white. The interior is bitter chocolate brown and the zip is in matching navy blue. I am very proud of this South African print design. It is modern, simple and classic – a good design in a fantastic colour.

If you like any of the bags above, hurry over to my Etsy shop and click BUY because they are one-of-a-kind’s never to be repeated.

The Shweshwe Story

March 6, 2008 in Wren by wendren | 5 comments

This magical blue fabric has a fascinating history. The story begins in Europe where the fabric was imported from Asia, mainly India. The cloth was originally made using natural indigo dye but a synthetic substitute as well as two additional colours (a rich chocolate brown and a vibrant red) is now used.The original German Print, ‘Ujamani’ or ‘Shweshwe’ fabric was introduced to South Africa with the German settlers in 1858/9. Xhosa women took a particular liking to this stiff blue fabric and gradually replaced their animal skin garments for these newly available cotton ones. Over the years Shweshwe fabric has become an intricate part of traditional ceremonies in the rural areas.

Slowly the production of Shweshwe fabric has disappeared from Europe and today the only known producers of the Indigo Dyed Discharge Printed Fabric are in South Africa. This factory is 45% owned by the workers, creating a sustainable future for them in the Eastern Cape. Authentic Shweshwe fabrics can be identified by a trademark back-stamp on the fabric: the Three

Leopards, the South African version of the original and traditional Three Cats trademark or Toto 6. The stiff touch, smell and taste of the fabric are also unique ways to ensure the fabric is genuine. The reason for these characteristics lies in the fabric’s history:- During the long sea voyage from the UK to South Africa, starch was used to preserve the fabric from the elements and gave a characteristic stiffness and smell. Today the fabric is starched for traditional reasons. After washing, the stiffness and smell slowly disappear to leave behind a beautiful soft cotton fabric.

(Note: When washing Shweswhe for the first time the excess indigo comes out and therefore, it is advisable to wash items separately).

About Wren Bags

March 5, 2008 in Wren by wendren | No comments

Wren bags are very special. Each one is unique, a one-of-a-kind, and with its own personality – just like you! A lot of time is spent making sure the colours and patterns of each bag work together. All the bags are made perfectly so that they last you a long time and meet the highest quality standards (as I am an admitted perfectionist).

Every bag is personally made either by me, or when the work load gets too much I ask for the help of two very special seamstresses from the local community.

Bag Description

Shweshwe or traditional fabric from England (eg. Sanderson, William Morris and Liberty) are used for the bags in different combinations. Shweshwe fabric has a long history in South Africa and is the only known producer of this special fabric today.

Hidden exterior pocket perfect for ipod, cellphone, keys or coins.

3 interior pockets: On one side a cellphone and wallet pouch and on the other side is a zipper pocket lined in a contrasting colour fabric.

There is also a snap hook inside for your keys or small pouch to clip into.

As a special surprise – each bag comes with a pouch filled with hand-picked and dried French perfume lavender from Franschoek – perfect for keeping your bag smelling great.

The bag is closed by two hidden magnets. These magnets are very strong but are not placed close enough to cause your cellphone or other electrical objects any damage.

Approx. Dimensions: 12.5”x3” at the bottom and 10” high. The shoulder straps are 24”.

All Wren products are supremely crafted by hand in and by South Africa(ns). Great care is taken to ensure that all Wren products are of the highest standards.