Geometric designs from all over Africa have been gathered together and re-assembled in this quilt.  Contrast of size is an important part of the design which is structured into panels.

The central panel, with a barkcloth background,  uses shapes similar to those seen in Kuba raffia dancing skirts. At a second glance, these shapes make up a word – reading from top to bottom and left to right, are the letters A-F-R-I-C-A.

The Kuba raffia textiles also inspired the pompoms on the edge.

Media : barkcloth,  hand dyed and commercial cottons,  silks, pompoms
Techniques : machine pieced, appliquéd, embroidered and quilted

Size: 98 x 59 cm

A funky hand-screened motif of a woman’s face was the departure point of this work.  Pompoms and embroidery enrich the surface with texture and colour.

Machine appliqué,  hand embroidery, 
Fabric paint,  pompoms
Fabrics : hand-screened cotton,  Woodin™ cotton

Size: 25 x 22 cm

In this work,  the concept and the colours seemed to come from a combination of sources : Durban’s Grey Street area,  the winter landscape in rural Zululand,  the pompoms which I’d seen on transformed, traditional clothing worn in Durban and Zululand and lastly, the fringe of raffia pompoms on Kuba raffia dancing skirts.

I’ve used pompoms in several works in the past few years and just when I think I am finished with them, they pull me back and I find myself once again incorporating these familiar shapes and colours in my work.

Media  / Materials : hand dyed and commercial cotton fabrics,  pompoms,  silk organza ribbon
Techniques : hand and machine stitching

Size: 48 x 103 cm  (19” x 40”)

The 10 year anniversary of democracy in South Africa motivated me to create this work and voice my feelings about this milestone in the country of my birth.  Several years ago I attended a lecture in America by the quilt historian Barbara Brackman.

She showed a small banner that had been used in a parade celebrating the Union victory in the USA in 1865.  The banner belongs to the Smithsonian Institution and contained the words I have used on my quilt.  These words remained in my mind for a long time and they wonderfully expressed my feelings in 2004 about “the new South Africa".

The fabrics include hand-dyed and screened fabrics from Rorke's Drift in rural KwaZulu-Natal and commercial shwe-shwe prints.

Media : Hand dyed and commercial cotton fabrics
Techniques : Machine piecing, fusible web applique, machine top-stitching, machine quilting
Machine quilted by Bev Essers to Odette Tolksdorf’s design.

Size: Length 164 cm (65”) Top width 97cm (38”) Bottom width 108cm (43”)

This quilt was my vision of an imaginary entrance gateway to one of South Africa's best-known tourist destinations - the Kruger Game Park.  I imagined steps leading up to an an elaborate, mysterious portal which would invite people in to view the wildlife beyond.

The light beyond the gateway streams onto the steps.  The simple basic design allowed me to use dynamic colours and graphic patterned fabrics.  The hand embroidered animals and small beaded creatures are made by Zulu women in Durban.
Machine pieced,  hand quilted,  applique,  embroidery and beading
Cottons, cotton blends, tie-dye fabric

Size: 92 x 140 cm ( 36" x 55" )

I have always been interested in the decorative designs found in African arts and crafts. The inspiration for this quilt came from designs found in African wood carvings, beading and weavings. The three half-circles in the upper section are interpretations of carved wooden combs done in crazy patchwork.

The lower section has the hands beating the drums to celebrate beautiful hand-crafted work which I collect and which inspires me.
Machine pieced, hand applique, hand and machine quilted
Cottons, cotton-blends, hand woven Indian cotton, ric-rac braid

Size: 106 x 125 cm

This quilt recalls my journey to Durban where I live. On arrival it was hot and humid, there was dark and light. The sights were intriguing - somewhat foreign and exotic.

The motifs reflect the Indian influence in Durban and record some familiar sights - a mosque doorway, the Victoria Street Market building and a palm tree. The design units surrounding the central pictorial scene give an impression of buildings and doorways.  They are also a means of moving through colour fields from warm to cool and from light to dark.

Media / Materials: Cotton, cotton blends, hand dyed cotton, ric-rac braid

Techniques: Machine pieced, hand appliqué, embroidery and quilting

Size: 140 x 166 cm      SOLD

Celebration no.1  1990

Celebration 2   1991

Size: 100 x 155 cm   SOLD

Jungle Jargon in Yellows 1988

Jungle Jargon in Blues 1988

Machine pieced and quilted, Hand applique and embroidery
Cottons including old flour bags,  cotton blends,  braid,  beads
This multi-coloured medallion design has radiating borders which contain appliqued, embroidered and beaded African images. My intention was to reflect the feel of Africa, and particularly of Durban, where I live.

The huts in the "kraal", the palm trees, animals, Indian Mynah and Hadeda birds and the vibrant shimmering colours represent this idea.

Size: 110 x 110 cm