In Search of Caribbean Textiles: Blitherings....
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| Nothing beats Lobster Orange |
So far, life on the high seas has not quite lent itself to anything textile related. My second season is about to end with naught. Despite bringing much to tempt, time is short given necessary chores and lack of any real “port” down time (excuses, excuses!).
But there have been a few flashes during our voyages, if not for the hands, then for the brain… Here then are my first observations:
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| A bit of Red, White & Blue on 4th July, St Martin |
Sint Maarten, cruise ship destination extraordinaire, offered a little dress shop with clothes made from authentic African fabrics. I was looking for something more typically Caribbean at the time and for yardage (of cloth) so stupidly didn't pursue this lead. But the shopping was good!
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| Purple & Orange Sunset over Iles des Saintes |
Iles des Saintes has wonderful clothes made from hand-dyed cottons. The colours were exquisite; true reflections of sparkling Caribbean waters. Their clothes, though beautifully made, were not for me. Nobody sews here. It’s French…
Bequia showed a selection of pretty batiks, hand made on St Vincent. Nice work but nothing took my eye. Of course, it too was mostly “finished” product – bags, dresses, tablecloths. What did catch my eye though were brightly coloured island houses, vivid against dark, tropical greenery; a paint shop colour chart.
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| Dressed to Party in Trinidad |
Trinidad was a dream offering of fabrics by the yard if you wanted. Of course, it's mostly imported from China or India. Local tailors then vie to make up garments. "Not what I am looking for thankyou." I already have quite the collection of Indian fabrics at home......
