dinner on my skirt

It's not every day we eat dinner on my skirt, but when we had friends over Easter weekend 

I decided I wanted to use my favorite cloth from West Africa. I also used it Easter Sunday 

when Eldest Son was with us and when I asked if he recognized it, 

I was gratified with his answer, "Yes, Mom that's your skirt."

The colorful fabrics that women wear in West Africa are a feast to the eyes. 

I have several "cloths" but my favorite is this indigo blue marked along the edge with 

"guaranteed Dutch Wax," which means it's printed so both sides are the same depth of color. 

It's a more desirable cloth.

Most W. African women buy at least six yards: two for the skirt, two for the top and two 

for a cloth to hold their baby on their backs, to wear in a fancy way on their heads, to use 

as a picnic banker, or to wear like a shawl. Can you imagine two yards on your head? 

It's a bit heavy, but elegant, and they come up with some amazing creations. 

A tailor or seamstress make the outfit (always without a pattern)

 and while the skirts are long, the tops follow the current fashion trends.

Sometimes they keep two-three yards to wear as a wrap skirt with a tee shirt on top, and 

that's what I did with this cloth. Skirts are long and it's so comfortable to wear.

Many women wear "western" clothing especially in the city, 

but for special events, they usually wear traditional clothing.

I think I need to use this as a tablecloth more often

since I'm not wearing it as a skirt anymore!

I had a seamstress make this for me out of six yards.

Yes that's two yards on my head!