Meet the Aunties

Quilt Challenges| Quilt Africa Fabrics Challenges| African culture and history| Quilting| Quilt Africa Fabrics

August 30, 2025•3 min read

More Than Family:

The Wonderful World of 'Aunty Culture'

Have you ever had a friend of your mother’s who you just call "Aunty"? Or perhaps a family friend who, despite no blood relation, has always been there to offer a piece of advice, a warm hug, or a word of encouragement?

That’s what we call "Aunty Culture," a beautiful, unspoken tradition that exists in many communities around the world. It’s a wonderful network of women who step in to offer guidance and support, acting as a soft place to land and a trusted voice in our lives. They're the ones who show up, listen, and somehow always know what to say.

In Nigeria, this culture is elevated to an art form. The Nigerian Aunty is a true icon—a figure who embodies grace, wisdom, and an unapologetic, joyful spirit.

She is the gatekeeper of tradition, the wise advisor, the keeper of family secrets, and the vibrant life of every party. She's the one who will make sure you’re well-fed, give you a firm-but-loving word of advice, and pull you onto the dance floor. She is a powerful matriarch who helps weave the very fabric of her community together, a living legacy.

It's this unique blend of fun, love, and tradition that inspired our newest pattern, the "Nigerian Aunties." It's our tribute to these iconic women, crafted for you to infuse your quilts with their same vibrant energy and enduring legacy.

Find Out Which Nigerian Aunty You Are!

Quilting isn’t just about fabric and stitches—it’s about personality, energy, and the stories we bring to the craft. Want to add a playful twist to your quilting journey? Take our Nigerian Aunties Quiz and discover which Aunty archetype matches your vibe!

Are you the Life of the Party Aunty, always adding bold splashes of color? Or maybe the Wise Storyteller Aunty, stitching heritage and tradition into every piece? This fun quiz is more than just entertainment—it’s a way to connect with your quilting style on a whole new level.

👉 Click here to take the quiz and find your Aunty alter-ego—then let your quilting reflect her spirit!

https://forms.gle/Xg1vDHcBZF9xKo588

Get Your Aunties Pattern Here: https://quiltafricafabrics.com/home--nigerian-aunties-digital-pattern-page

Explore More Quilt Africa Fabrics

Discover Adire Story Cloths

Each fabric tells a tale. Handcrafted by Yoruba artisans, our authentic Adire Batik fabrics bring heritage, beauty, and inspiration to your quilting and sewing projects. Perfectly curated to carry tradition into your creative journey.

https://quilt-africa-fabrics.myshopify.com/collections/the-story-cloths-adire-african-batik

Grab yours here: https://quilt-africa-fabrics.myshopify.com/collections

Learn From Leo Ransom Here: https://workshop.quiltafricafabrics.com/home-leo-ransom

Learn Here: https://workshop.quiltafricafabrics.com/care-of-african-fabrics-every-quilter

What an incredible gathering it was!

The Quilt Africa Summit 2025 brought together quilters from all over the world for 3 unforgettable days of inspiration, creativity, and connection. From hands-on workshops and live demonstrations to vibrant showcases of African fabrics, the summit truly celebrated the artistry and stories woven into every stitch. 🌍🧵

💻 You can still experience the magic! All sessions and replays are available for you to watch inside the Summit Portal.

👉 Start your summit review here:

https://summit.quiltafricafabrics.com/2025-international-summit

Quilt Africa International Summit Experience

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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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