Home Do-It-Yourself Fabric Craft Shweshwe Frames

Shweshwe Frames

You Will Need:

Fevicryl Fabric Colours - Black 202, Prussian Blue 219, White 227, Fevicryl Fabric Glue, Fine Art Brushes, MDF Plank, 1 Meter of Cotton Fabric, Scissors, Pencil, Ruler, Colour Palette, Water Container

Product Used:
Description :

Shweshwe are common prints that are design on fabric and textiles in Africa. We have made frames with this style and pattern using tie and dye technique and then making frames out of them. A great way to brighten up a mundane wall in your homes, with these frames.

STEP 1 : Source the base material
  • We are going to make Shweshwe frames with dyed fabric and traditional patterns on them using Fabric Colours.
  • Take a 1-meter cotton fabric cloth.
  • Dye the fabric in an Indigo shade made by mixing Fabric Colours - Black 202 and Prussian Blue 219.
  • Let it dry completely.
STEP 2 : Draw the design
  • We are going to take various shapes for the base of MDF plank like the triangles, asymmetrical square, mountain shape and pentagon shape as the base.
  • Take the fabric, mark and cut the fabric to cover the triangular shape, Similarly, mark and cut the fabric to cover the other shapes too.
  • Refer to the image.
  • Draw a simple outline to paint the design of the dots from the Shweshwe fabric patterns using Fabric Colour White 227.
  • Let it dry completely.
STEP 3
  • Cover the triangular MDF cutout with the painted fabric, securing the ends of the fabric by sticking it on the rear side using Fabric Glue.
  • Let it dry.
STEP 4 : Paint the other designs
  • Similarly, paint the other patterns too with Fabric Colour - White 227,
  • Let it dry.
  • Cover and stick the painted fabric pieces on the MDF cutout base using Fabric Glue.
  • Let it dry.
STEP 5 : Final look
  • Frame the painted base of MDF, covered with fabric, aesthetically.
  • Paint the frames with Acrylic Colour - White 27. Let it dry.
  • Attach metal hooks from the rear side, your Shweshwe frames are ready.