During the first two months of 2011 I invited unemployed women from the Block 40 informal settlement (which is situated in close proximity to the Red Location Museum) to participate in weekly workshops where they could learn how to create products by hand. I wanted to teach them that one can be productive and become more sustainable, through materials which are easily available, and which would not require expensive tools or machinery.
The women have been working on a beautiful handmade quilt since then, of which the stitch work is fine and excellently done.
The Block 40 Quilters are now extending an invite to interested quilters (amateur and professional) from Nelson Mandela Bay Metro area to join the workshops, which take place every Friday (weather permitting), at the Red Location Museum’s Restaurant, between 10:00 and 12:00. Interested participants are kindly requested to bring along tea, coffee, milk, sugar and snacks, to share with the rest of the group.
Any donations of fabric remnants (especially black), needles, thread, beads, etc would also be much appreciated.
For more information about the quilt making, please feel free to contact these Block 40 Quilters: Bongiwe Rasi at 078 302 111 or Phumeza Khonzeka at 072 065 2446
Bookings to attend the workshops need to be done for workshop attendance, as we can only accommodate 40 people. Contact the Red Location Museum Receptionist, Nosikumbuzo Hoza, on 041 408 8400.
Regards
Annette Du Plessis
079 694 0607
