Where African Fabrics Inspire Global Connections

Unlock Your Creativity: Discover the Soulful Art of Quilting with Vibrant African Fabrics.

At Quilt Africa Fabrics, we empower artists like you to transform beautiful textiles into personal legacies, connecting tradition with your unique artistic voice.

Explore our exquisite fabrics, enriching classes, and a warm global community designed for your joyful creative journey.

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Ready to infuse your quilting with vibrant African fabrics?

Join us for the 2025 Quilt Africa International Summit from the comfort of your home!

Immerse yourself in 3 days of inspiration, expert guidance, and a global community.

Your Gateway to Inspiration and Quilting With African Fabrics

Fabrics: Weave Your Story in Every Stitch

Step into a world of vibrant color and rich heritage.

Our carefully sourced African fabrics, from classic Ankara to exquisite hand-batik Adire, are more than just cloth—they're the foundation for your next masterpiece.

Imagine the joy of seeing your creative vision bloom, infused with patterns that tell a story of beauty, culture, and connection. Each piece invites you to create something truly unique, celebrating the heart of Africa in every quilt.

Video Classes: Learn, Create, and Connect

Ready to expand your quilting horizons?

Our engaging video tutorials are designed for you, no matter your experience. Led by passionate experts, you’ll master new techniques, unleash fresh ideas, and bring your most imaginative quilt projects to life.

Learn at your own pace, from the comfort of your home, and discover the pure joy of creating something beautiful with your hands.

Events & Workshops: Gather, Share, and Grow

Ready to be inspired and elevate your quilting artistry?

Come join a vibrant community of fellow quilters at our inspiring events and hands-on workshops.

From the immersive experience of our annual International Summit, connecting you with a global network of textile artists, to intimate, specialized technique sessions, you'll discover endless opportunities.

Learn directly from seasoned experts, showcase your cherished creations, and forge meaningful connections with kindred spirits who understand your deep appreciation for African textiles.

This is where your skills grow, your creativity flourishes, and your passion finds its true home – it's a vibrant celebration of shared artistry.

Community: Your Creative Home Awaits

Ready to enrich your quilting journey with genuine connection and endless inspiration?

Join the Quilt Africa Tribe – a warm, welcoming global family of textile artists devoted to the art of quilting and the vibrant world of African textiles.

Within this supportive community, you'll find the encouragement you need to explore new techniques, push your creative boundaries, and share your unique artistic voice.

Ask questions, showcase your cherished projects, and celebrate every triumph, big or small, with fellow enthusiasts who understand the quiet joy and dedication behind each stitch. This is your personal space to connect, learn from diverse perspectives, and truly belong among kindred spirits.

Video Gallery: Watch The Quilt Africa Community Highlights

Quilt Africa: Beyond the Fabric

Our Best-Selling Collections

Explore our most loved collections and see the

endless possibilities these exquisite fabrics offer.

Precut Mystery Bundles

Uncover curated collections of African fabrics, making your next project a delightful surprise.

Perfect for effortless color coordination.

African Names Bundles

Discover bundles thoughtfully named after traditional African names, weaving cultural significance into your quilting projects

Patterns & Kits

Map Made By Samara Bradley

Immerse yourself in African-inspired quilting with our expertly designed patterns and kits, complete with everything you need to create stunning quilts

Meet Miriam: Our Founder's Story

My journey with Quilt Africa Fabrics began not just from a love of textiles, but from a profound appreciation for the rich cultural narratives woven into every thread of African fabric.

As the visionary behind Quilt Africa Fabrics, I saw a unique opportunity to bridge the vibrant artistry of Africa with the global quilting community.

What started as a passion to introduce these unique materials has blossomed into the premier destination for quilters seeking authenticity, inspiration, and unparalleled quality.

Owner Quilt Africa Fabrics

From Our Blog: Inspiration and Insights

Dive deeper into the art of quilting, explore the stories behind African textiles, and find fresh ideas for your next creative project.

Be Madly Modern

Be Madly Modern: A Celebration of AfroModern Quilting

October 31, 20242 min read

Modern Quilting: A Contemporary Twist on Tradition

Modern quilting throws out the rule book and embraces improvisation, asymmetry, and bold color choices. It's about expressing your unique voice through fabric and stitches.

Think minimalist designs, graphic elements, negative space, and an emphasis on the quilting itself as an integral part of the design.

Modern quilting emerged in the early 2000s as a fresh take on a time-honored craft. It's characterized by:

  • Bold Colors and Minimalist Design: Think solid fabrics, high contrast, and a focus on negative space.

  • Improvisational Piecing: Embracing spontaneity and intuitive design choices.

  • Modern Techniques: Exploring new methods like free-motion quilting and minimalist binding.

  • Personal Expression: Quilts that reflect the maker's unique style and perspective.

Enter AfroModern Quilting: A Fusion of Cultures

Now, imagine infusing the vibrant spirit of Africa into this modern aesthetic. That's the essence of AfroModern quilting, a style pioneered by Carole Lyles Shaw.

Carole Lyles Shaw: The Pioneer of AfroModern Quilting

 Carole Lyles Shaw, a visionary quilter and author who brought a unique perspective to the modern quilting movement. She saw the potential of fusing the bold aesthetics of modern quilting with the rich cultural heritage of African fabrics. She championed this fusion, creating stunning quilts that celebrated both her heritage and her artistic vision.

Carole coined the term "AfroModern Quilting," and her work beautifully captured the essence of this style:

  • Vibrant African Prints: Incorporating the rich colors, patterns, and textures of African textiles.

  • Improvisational Flair: Embrace spontaneity and intuitive design, often with asymmetrical layouts, by combining the bold colors and patterns of African fabrics with the improvisational spirit of modern quilting.

  • Modern Aesthetics: Minimalist design, bold use of color, and a focus on negative space.

Her work was a celebration of bold colors, improvisational piecing, and a deep respect for cultural heritage.

Sadly, we lost Carole in 2024. But her legacy lives on, and the "Be Madly Modern" Quilt Challenge is our way of honoring her vision and keeping the spirit of AfroModern quilting alive.

Why You Should Join the Challenge

This challenge is for YOU, whether you're a seasoned quilter or just starting your journey. It's a chance to:

  • Explore your creativity: Dive into the world of modern and improv quilting with African fabrics.

  • Honor a legend: Celebrate the legacy of Carole Lyles Shaw and contribute to a growing collection of AfroModern quilts.

  • Connect with a community: Join a global network of quilters who share your passion.

  • Expand your skills: Learn new techniques and push your creative boundaries.

  • Find your voice: Express yourself through the art of quilting.

  • Be part of something bigger: Contribute to a vibrant community and honor a quilting pioneer.

Ready to Be Madly Modern?

Join the challenge today to celebrate AfroModern Quilting and let's stitch together a vibrant tribute to Carole Lyles Shaw!

https://challenge.quiltafricafabrics.com/join-be-madly-modern-challenge

Let's create a vibrant tapestry of AfroModern quilts that honor Carole's spirit and inspire generations to come.

#BeMadlyModern #QuiltChallenge #CaroleLylesShaw #AfroModernQuilting #ModernQuilting #AfricanFabrics #QuiltingCommunity #QuiltAfricaFabrics #QuiltAfricaTribe

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Miriam Galadima Benson

As an African who was not familiar with the process of modern day quilting, Miriam was fascinated with photos of the beautiful quilts displayed in Pinterest. This led her to take the plunge and create her first quilt in 2016, using online resources as there are no quilt shops in her country. As an architect, the creative process of quilting was familiar and she loved the fact that she could incorporate her culture. The process of creating that first quilt using the fabrics of her heritage led to the start of her business, Quilt Africa Fabrics. The scarcity of resources on quilting with African Fabrics was the deciding factor in birthing the African Fabrics Movement and launching the annual Quilt Africa Fabrics Online Show and the virtual Quilt Africa Fabrics Guild/BOM. She considers herself honored and blessed to be accepted by the quilting community. She views her business as a vehicle for introducing and supplying the beautiful, bold and exciting fabrics of Africa to quilters and textile artists the world over. Miriam lives in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria in Western Africa with her husband and 3 children who are very much a part of the African Fabrics Movement.

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Explore African fabrics with Quilt Africa Fabrics, where each textile is hand-selected for its cultural richness and unique beauty.

From bold prints to intricate patterns, discover the perfect way to express your creativity with African fabrics.

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