Fabric, cotton and embroidery thread are sent out to the women who gather at a central location to work together and exchange their skills. Very often this needlework is the women's only source of income. As much labour-intensive work as possible is done in these rural areas. Each group has its own distinctive style of needlework, for example the San women specialize in candle wicking whilst the Damara women specialize in mola, a form of patchwork.

The completed needlework is collected from the women's groups and brought to the Penduka workshop in Windhoek where it is sewn into finished products by women from the poorer areas of the capital. These women have been trained in all aspects of needlework and the highest standards of quality are rigorously maintained. All the colours are fast and all items can be washed with care. One of the main aims of the Penduka project is to give the women a strong sense of pride in their work, which is why only products of the highest quality are accepted for sale.

In Windhoek also other products are made, for example beautiful batik designs.