Home Sewing
Home of the Original Shweshwe
Da Gama‘s Home Sewing Division is a major supplier to South African retailers and wholesalers, and provides a link to home sewers in the informal sector.
The hallmark of the division is its niche market branded merchandise that has become synonymous with quality. Consumers trust these brands and demand them, rather than cheap imitations. Da Gama is the only textile company in South Africa that makes The Original Shweshwe. Da Gama has been dressing the nation since 1948.
Some of our recognised brands include:
- Plain dyed FASCO, EDENROSE and FIRSTLINE
- The Original Shweshwe ethnic printed 3 CATS, 3 LEOPARDS, TOTO and FANCY PRINTS, which are acid discharge prints on cotton calico.
SHWESHWE
Our Shweshwe ranges have unique traditional characteristics of taste, touch and smell, in addition to the backstamp that confirms that these are authentic products - THE ORIGINAL SHWESHWE - part of the appeal of Shweshwe and the reason Da Gama has continued to invest in its Zwelitsha plant keeping this traditional fabric alive. “Shweshwe” without the following authenticating backstamps is not genuine Original Shweshwe.
The manufacturing process remains traditional, whereby fabric is fed through copper rollers which have patterns etched on the surface, allowing a weak acid solution to be applied to the fabric, discharging the distinctive white designs. The fabric can be easily identified for its intricate all over prints and beautiful panels.
Da Gama regularly sponsors designers that show at various Fashion shows across South Africa, confirming its commitment to support the up and coming talent that the textile industry requires as a vehicle to launch its products onto the world stage. Through enabling these shows, Da Gama also seeks to achieve:
- The high standards that the industry sets itself.
- To provide a measure of the investment, not only in technology, but also in the value of the people who make up the industry.
- A further appreciation for African traditional dress, something that recently has crossed the generation gap to become a fashion statement across all ages and cultures.
Browse Original Shweshwe Fabrics
PRINTED RANGES
Various other printed ranges include the Placemat Collection, Gardenia Curtaining and a Christmas Range all on 150cm wide cottons as well the African Ethnic Range on 115cm wide cotton.
Contact:
Helen Bester +27 (0) 40 608 6237
