Fabric Motifs

A motif is "a decorative image or design, especially a repeated one forming a pattern" (Lexico Dictionary, 2019).

Motifs are repeated in different ways to create patterns and these patterns are repeated to create a design. They are often inspired by nature and "are also closely linked to natural, cultural, religious and socio-economic factor prevailing in any society"(Pheto-Moeti et al. 2017: 28).

I think fabric motifs designs can be classified as:

• Geometric
• Natural

Geometric Motifs

These motifs include lines in various forms, such as vertical, horizontal, diagonal and curved. They create fabric designs, such as stripes, plaids, checks, circles and other associated designs, see figure 1.

Figure 2 is an example of the geometric motifs in Isishweshwe fabrics.

Figure 1-Buckley, C., (2012). Geometric Motifs. [ONLINE]

Figure 2- French Connection, (2007). Mixed Masala. Different Isishweshwe Patterns. [ONLINE]

Natural Motifs

They portray a direct replica of things as they exist in nature, such as flowers on trees, animals, human figures and other natural things, see Figure 4 is an example of a natural motif used fabric.

Figure 4- Digital Wax Print., (2012). Ukhozi. Isishweshwe with a Picture of an Eagle. [ONLINE]