DYNAMIC, enthusiastic and full of plans for the future – that’s what comes to mind when one visits with Jenefer Rubidge in Cypress Grove, Graaff-Reinet.
After completing her physical education studies at the teacher’s college in Graaff-Reinet, Jenefer married husband Fred, and settled on their farm, Soetvlei, in the Richmond district.
Construction of a big dam on the farm led to large scale vegetable farming and a large piggery, while Jenefer also raised lots of chickens.
“Fred was always very supportive of any ventures I considered, and he went the extra mile to enable me in realising my dreams. At the time, we had lots of extra hands on the farm, and I decided to train a team of women to spin wool from our Romney Marsh sheep stud,” Jenefer shared.
Nowadays, Jenefer enjoys being part of the community in Graaff-Reinet where she resides in the original Cypress Grove house, which was also used as townhouse while their children attended Union.
At the age of 79, sitting still is definitely not high on Jenefer’s list of priorities.
Much rather, she climbs the steep set of steps that leads down the back of the old house several times a day to enter one of the cellars beneath, which Jenefer has converted into a workroom.
Here, on a huge table that will have any crafting enthusiast green with envy, she makes duvets of all sizes. What makes these creations so unique, however, is the fact that Jenefer uses 30 micron wool (New Zealand white) as stuffing inside a high quality percale linen.
“Don’t tell the merino farmers that,” she chuckles.
“For the purposes of having a bouncy, fluffable and durable stuffing, however, New Zealand white is perfect!”
After carding the wool herself, Jenefer sews it into 25cm blocks within the linen, so as to secure it and prevent the wool from slipping to one corner.
“Although the duvets can be made in winter thickness and a thin summer version on request, the all-year-rounder is the most popular, and Jenefer sews them from single to super king-size.
She started making duvets when the children needed them for attending hostel, and this hobby stuck through the years. “I often start working as early as 06:00,” Jenefer said, “and I still love doing it. I love natural things, like wood and wool.”
The love and dedication with which Jenefer meticulously stitches together each duvet seems to permeate the fabric. Perhaps that is exactly the stuff(ing) sweet dreams are made of – wholesomeness, sincerity and care.
To contact Jenefer, phone 076 890 1480 or email jennierubidge@gmail.com.
