summit2025

The Loom & The Legacy: How African Apprenticeship Systems Shaped Textile Artistry

June 30, 20253 min read

African Fabrics


Unraveling Ancient Threads:

Your Invitation to Quilt Africa's FREE Livestream Journey!

Hello amazing quilters and fabric enthusiasts!

Miriam Galadima Benson here, founder of Quilt Africa, and I'm bursting with excitement to invite you on an extraordinary journey that promises to transform your quilting, deepen your understanding, and connect you to a rich, global heritage.

We're launching a FREE 3-part livestream series: "Unlock Africa's Creative Legacy: A 3-Part Livestream Journey!" This isn't just about admiring beautiful fabrics; it's about understanding the profound stories, the vibrant history, and the timeless wisdom woven into every single thread.

Why This Journey Matters to YOUR Quilting

Have you ever wondered about the hands that created those captivating African textiles? Or how skills, patterns, and even entire communities thrived for generations, long before modern schools and workshops? This series will reveal just that, providing insights that will bring new depth and meaning to every stitch you make.

Think of it as your exclusive backstage pass into the heart of African artistry, preparing you for the ultimate deep dive at our 2025 Quilt Africa Summit: Community Threads!

Here's a Glimpse of Our Adventure:

Part 1: The Loom & The Legacy: How African Apprenticeship Systems Shaped Textile Artistry

  • What we'll explore: We’ll step into the fascinating world of traditional African apprenticeship. Discover how knowledge, intricate techniques, and even philosophical principles were intimately passed down from master to apprentice, fostering powerful creative bonds and ensuring a rich artistic legacy.

  • Why you'll love it: Understand the deep-rooted tradition of learning by doing, gain insights into how shared knowledge fuels creative excellence, and find inspiration for how mentorship can enrich your own quilting skills and creative community.

What's Next in the Series?

This is just the beginning! Over the next two weeks, we'll continue our exploration:

  • Part 2: Beyond the Seam: We'll immerse ourselves in the vibrant creative guilds and artisan colonies where communal spirit fostered unparalleled innovation.

  • Part 3: The Language of Cloth: We'll decode the profound stories and community values embedded in African textile symbols and patterns.

Ready to Begin Your Legacy Journey?

This is more than just a livestream; it's an invitation to connect with a powerful, living heritage that will inspire your creativity in ways you never imagined.

👉 Don't wait! Save your spot for Part 1 and the whole series Here:
https://workshop.quiltafricafabrics.com/african-textile-traditions-join

I can't wait to share this exciting journey with you and see how these ancient threads inspire your modern quilts!

Warmly,

Miriam Galadima Benson

Founder, Quilt Africa



African Fabrics


Upcoming Event: Quilt Africa Summit

Get ready for our biggest event of the year! 

Curiosity Meets Creativity at the Quilt Africa Summit! If you're a quilter fascinated by the rich patterns and stories of African fabrics, this online conference is designed for you. Not only will you connect with inspiring artists, but your registration also grants you flexible access to all session replays until December 8, so you can learn at your own pace!.

The Quilt Africa Summit is just around the corner. Join us for 3 days of inspiration, learning, and connection with fellow quilters. 

  • Workshops and demonstrations on various ways of using African Fabrics.

  • Exhibitions and showcases of Quilt Africa Tribe members' creations.

  • Networking opportunities with textile enthusiasts and artisans.

More details and ticket information can be found

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

We look forward to seeing you there!

Come and be inspired. Let's create together with the rich, vibrant fabrics of Africa and stitch our stories together.

Quilt Africa International Summit Experience

summit speaker

Register to summit

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

African Fabrics

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

Quilting Workshop

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

African Fabrics Care

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


Be sure to follow us on our socials to keep updated on our latest deals and events:

Quilt Africa Fabrics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quiltafricafabrics/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltafricafabrics/?_rdc=1&_rdr##

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miriam_quiltafricafabrics

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.

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.

Instagram logo icon
Youtube logo icon
Back to Blog