Every metre of authentic Three Cats™ Shweshwe carries more than a beautiful design.
It carries generations of skill, craftsmanship and manufacturing expertise that have been refined over more than a century. While many printed fabrics are created by adding colour to cloth, authentic Shweshwe is produced using a remarkable process that removes colour instead. This traditional method, known as indigo discharge printing, gives Three Cats™ Shweshwe its distinctive appearance, durability and heritage character.
From Cotton to Cloth
One of the most remarkable aspects of Da Gama Textiles is that it operates as a vertically integrated textile mill.
The journey begins with raw cotton. The cotton is cleaned, spun into yarn, woven into fabric, dyed and finally printed, all within the same manufacturing operation.
From Design to Copper Roller
Every design begins as an idea. Some patterns are inspired by traditional motifs that have been passed down through generations, while others are created to reflect contemporary tastes.
Many of the original Three Cats™ copper rollers were transferred from Britain to South Africa in 1992 when Da Gama Textiles acquired the rights to the brand.
The Art of Indigo Discharge Printing
Unlike conventional printing, where colour is added to the fabric, authentic Shweshwe is created by removing colour. Engraved copper rollers apply a carefully controlled weak acid solution to the dyed cloth, revealing the intricate white designs that make Three Cats™ instantly recognisable.
How to Identify Authentic Three Cats™ Shweshwe
The Signature Smell – Authentic Three Cats™ Shweshwe has a distinctive aroma when new, created by the traditional starching and finishing processes used during production.
The Three Cats™ Backstamp – Every genuine Three Cats™ fabric carries a repeating Three Cats™ trademark backstamp on the reverse side of the cloth.
The Characteristic Stiff Handle – Authentic Shweshwe feels noticeably stiff when purchased due to the traditional starching process.
Width and Print Quality – Authentic Three Cats™ Shweshwe is produced to a standard width of approximately 89–90 centimetres.
Precision and Authenticity – The engraved copper rollers allow intricate designs to be reproduced with remarkable consistency and clarity. How to Identify Genuine Three Cats™ Shweshwe One of the reasons Three Cats™ has remained of the most trusted names associated with Shweshwe is that authentic fabric possesses a number of distinctive characteristics that are difficult to imitate. The Signature Smell – Authentic Three Cats™ Shweshwe has a distinctive aroma when new. This characteristic smell is created by the traditional starching and finishing processes used during production and is recognised by generations of makers throughout Southern Africa.
The Three Cats™ Backstamp – Every genuine Three Cats™ fabric carries a repeating Three Cats™ trademark backstamp on the reverse side of the cloth. This mark remains one of the most trusted signs of authenticity. The Characteristic Stiff Handle – Genuine Shweshwe feels noticeably firm and crisp when purchased. This stiffness comes from the traditional starching process and softens beautifully after washing.
Width and Print Quality – Authentic Three Cats™ Shweshwe is produced to a standard width of approximately 89–90 centimetres and displays exceptional consistency throughout the fabric.
Precision and Authenticity – The engraved copper rollers used during production create remarkably sharp, intricate and consistent patterns that reflect the heritage craftsmanship behind the fabric.
A Living Craft
At Fabric Story Studio, we are proud to share this remarkable textile tradition with makers, quilters, designers and textile enthusiasts throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.
Because Shweshwe is more than fabric. It is heritage, craftsmanship and history, printed onto cotton and carried forward from one generation to the next.
It's Coming Home
The story of Three Cats™ Shweshwe has always been one of travel. From its roots in the textile traditions of Europe to the mills of Britain, from generations of use across Southern Africa to its continued manufacture in the Eastern Cape, the fabric has crossed continents while preserving its identity and heritage.
Today that journey comes full circle. Through Fabric Story Studio, more than 200 authentic Three Cats™ designs are once again available in the United Kingdom. While the fabric is proudly manufactured in South Africa by Da Gama Textiles, it is now returning to the country where the Three Cats™ story first began, reconnecting British makers, quilters, designers and textile enthusiasts with a remarkable living heritage.
In many ways, it is coming home.