Kids furniture

Although these are not new, I just realised I never posted any pictures of our range of kids furniture here. We have been using locally made ordinary furniture and "dressed" it with cloth. The we apply our secret protective concoction and you can wipe it clean with a soapy wet cloth or sponge! Available in a selection of fabrics or with your own choice.

Dresser, table, stools, kids-height handwashing station...

And a rain of knitted jute and batik floor cushions for a playful and inviting children's nook:

Fusion couture

Granted, we are in Africa, but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't be inspired by Asia too. Yesterday we found it amusing to use our repurposed flour sacks to create a kimono that would match some cool trousers we saw earlier on. 

 

The batik bias comes as a discrete reminder of our African roots and matches the trousers' cuffs.

Offline, but not idle!

We've had issues with our connection these last few weeks, but this doesn't mean that we were not at work!

We are now collaborating with visual artist Tei Huagie and playing around with his "cloth on cloth" creations:

We also worked a bit around African print and took advantage of this piece of high-end Vlisco print  remaining from another project to try a new tunic and shorts combo; the shoulder detail gives some girlishness to an otherwise quite relaxed, everyday style:

 

All-purpose lounging trousers are always very much in demand; we had fun producing this one with a very forgiving ATL (Akosombo Textile Limited) fabric (toddlers tend to get dirty very fast, and thoroughly!):

You can tell we are in love with repurposed flour sacks these days. We love their versatility. Isn't this dress just adorable?

 

More rompers

The little model is more than willing. She strikes as many poses as you want (and a few more).

Here is a "balloon" sort of rompers, which closes with bows on the shoulders. In an ideal world, it will have press buttons on the inseam.

Can you tell we have SIAO 2014 on our minds already?

Testing new styles...

Playing around with the little miss (how convenient to have a model at home!) and new, comfortable and casual styles.

We'll keep working at it until we are satisfied it can go into production. Come back to this page to see how well we're doing!

Appliqué initialed table linen

Because a new house needs new accessories, and also because we'd left this line of articles aside for far too long...

This is my production of yesterday. Six 100% cotton placemats (2 for each member of the family) with initials and matching napkin or bib in a beautiful soft-coloured batik.

I love the easy to use tiny patterns, the subtle gradation ...

... and understated mix of colours ...

and this top-heavy lettering (Showcard Gothic) which, I think, lends a decidedly modern-retro feel to something that could so easily err on the side of well-meaning handicrafts of some soppy Lady Bountiful.

Flour sack...

What can you do on a Sunday morning, with a little girl, a sack of flour and a few scrap materials? 

You can sew a "pillowcase" dress.

Or, you can create instant lounging trousers.

Don't we have a perfect model?

Now with a headscarf cut in the same batik as the top, bottom and string of the trousers (requested by the model herself):