Fabric Shops in Kenya

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02-05-2012, 06:41 PM

#11

pasolovers

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Join Date: Oct 2011

Location: Crystal River,Fl

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Very interesting..I never realized they had custom made dresses!!!!

02-05-2012, 09:03 PM

#12

mighty

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Location: Upland CA

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Really interesting. They so beautiful work!

02-05-2012, 10:53 PM

#13

justflyingin

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Location: Jozefow, Poland

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Quote:

Originally Posted by moreland

When we were in Zimbabwe, the power was off a lot more than it was on, so I was very glad they had a treadle machine for me to sew on--my "mission work" while there was making operating gowns for the doctors to use in surgery. Perhaps that is partly why most machines are treadle in Kenya (I know nothing about the country in particular, so am just guessing.)

I suspect you are right. While maybe it isn't "more off than on", it apparently is undependable. Plus, it is cheaper.

02-06-2012, 06:11 AM

#14

homecaregiver

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Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: ILLINOIS

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Beautiful clothing and they look very comfortable. Interesting.
Pat

02-06-2012, 06:53 AM

#15

ruthrings

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Join Date: Oct 2011

Location: San Diego

Posts: 1,200

African fabrics

I also went two years ago and admired the fabrics greatly. As you saw in the store, they were mostly abstract or geometric. I was with a friend from our handbell choir. We were on a walk around a lake when this woman walked by wearing a wrapped skirt of handbell fabric!!! I almost fainted. I grabbed my friend's arm, "Amy! Amy! Look! Look!" Then I asked our guide if I could take a picture and he asked her permission first, because they do have some idea of their spirit being taken by a camera. I was also amazed by the amount of plaid I saw Masai women wearing!

02-06-2012, 06:54 AM

#16

auntpiggylpn

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Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!

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Beautiful fabrics! They have the right idea: If you have gorgeous fabrics, it is better to use a more simple pattern as to showcase the fabrics. Did you purchase fabrics when you were there? Were there quilting weight fabrics? I could go on and on with my questions!!!

02-06-2012, 09:27 AM

#17

ChildoftheUniverse

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Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: Ohio

Posts: 1,160

Quote:

Originally Posted by TacoMama

Very interesting. I wonder why she didn't want her picture made?

Some cultures feel that to take their picture is to take their soul. That may have been the case. Thanks for sharing.

02-06-2012, 12:12 PM

#18

Maria C

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Join Date: May 2007

Location: New Zealand

Posts: 1,851

That is so interesting. I would love to go clothes shopping like that. Not so much black clothing everywhere.

02-06-2012, 05:28 PM

#19

northern lass

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Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: UK

Posts: 3,435

Great little sewing shop. People don't like their pictures taken because they think you are capturing their spirit. We had to be very discreet when taking pictures there.

02-06-2012, 05:51 PM

#20

ging10ging

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Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Port Charlotte, Fl

Posts: 2,569

Someone told me they do clothes that way in China you go in and pick your fabric for dress or slacks and they make it and their fabric is beautiful silk. The fabric where you are looks very nice also. I wonder if they only make dresses like that for the wealthy people that come in and want a dress or something. I wonder if the treadle machines are due to a electric problem or that they are the ones donated to them and of course they were the machines our ancestors sewed on and made beautiful clothes. Thanks for sharing the pics. Sue