Tuesday, February 19

Progress on February TIF

I've been struggling to give visual form to what I remember and this is what I've come up with.


If possible I want a little element from the previous page/month to occur on the next page/month so the feather stitch is the element which connects January and February.

The spiral form of the blue tussar applique symbolises change and the particular triangular form is typical of traditional Gujarati and Lambani embroidery. Ancient yet modern.


Next I appliqued a second spiral to symbolise the co-existence of ancient/traditional and modern side by side. So although dishwashers are available in the market everybody doesn't have one its more likely you have household help who does the washing up. Therefore a dishwasher is seen as a luxury whereas domestic help is not.

We don't really think about it ( until there's a challenge) because that's the way it is but I think it must be a startling fact for somebody visiting India.

Allison Ann Aller's comment on my first post about the February TIF has a fantastic example "Well this is very interesting to me. I love India and did get to visit once, for a month in 2001 to the Kumbha Mela in Allahabad. We went to Varanasi, too. I remember seeing a parade of camels passing under a billboard for high speed internet as we were traveling along the Trunk Road...thinking, what change this country embodies!"

Finally I'm going to embroider little lines which describe the traditional and the modern which co- exist quite happily. The first one is of Filter coffee a tradional staple in South India cafes like Sukh Sagar where there's just one type of coffee on the menu - filter coffee served in a davarah and tumbler and Cafe Coffee Day is a modern Indian coffee chain much like Starbucks which has an extensive menu of lattes, frappes and cappuccinos.

22 comments:

allie aller said...

All I can say is this is so cool (an American expression)....

Your embroidered lettering is really fine, too. You must use a teeny needle and thin, thin thread....

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Hi Allison, thank-you."Cool" and "hot" are now part of the average urban Indian's vocabulary -that's globalisation for you.
I use a thin needle, nothing exceptional and just a single strand of Anchor embroidery thread.

Aussie Jo said...

I love the effect of the stitching with your appliqued pieces. Thankyou for your explanation of Biscornu, I have bookmarked that tutorial to make one when I have time.

Magpie Sue said...

I have to say that this is the most unique piece I've seen so far in the TIF challenge. Fascinating to learn about the changes in other countries and cultures :- )

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Thank-you for making my day Sue.

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Thanks for visiting Aussie Jo and I'm glad you found the biscornu tutorial useful I have to use it myself in a day or two.

Gwen said...

I am so glad that I have found your blog, somehow I missed your January piece, so this is my first visit. I love both of your pieces, your work is beautiful, and your concepts are very well executed!

I am fascinated by India, and love the fiber and fabric work, so I will be back often. I also love the cooking, and would love to have a raisin stuffed pepper!

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Hello Gwen,
Thank - you for your comments.I hope you can visit India in the near future - ayurvedic massage is something you might want to explore.
I do find your path to self - discovery an exciting one - I like the heart shaped knot in the tree which you discovered just in time for valentine's day and the workshop in journaling.

pRiyA said...

very interesting to see how you have visually translated ancient and modern. very nice!
ps: i'll have the filter coffee any day.

Maya Sara Matthew said...

We need to get together and have filter coffee soon and one of Rahila's sinful desserts.

kate said...

I like the colours and design of the appliqué and the feather stitches which connect your January and February challenges.

Quite the contrast too, between the traditional and the modern .... the davarah and tumbler would probably be my choice!

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Hello Kate,
Wish I could treat you to a filter coffee, maybe some day soon.
Thanks for visiting.

Anonymous said...

Hey Embellisher!
Some of my comments seem to get swallowed up in cyberspace.
I like the look of the feb TIF. The lettering is incredibly neat (nothing like the name tag I made for the little munchkin!!). Also, the fabric beads are very cool.

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Hello Pumpernickel,
Cyberspace has a mind of its own at times.
Thank-you for the comments, hope the lambani women find making the fabric beads cool as well.

Penny said...

thank you for visiting my site. i love what you are doing and the million stitches is right, such fine fine work. I too would love to visit India but not sure I have time in this life to do it. I have a friend who goes gathering textiles when she can. I love the beautiful work that is done, and your beads look fascinating. I will be back.

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Hello Penny,
Thanks for visiting.The fine stitching is going to delay the completion of the Feb challenge even with this being a leap year and all that and there being an extra day in feb!!!

Unknown said...

Hi, this is a great piece of embroidery. Thanks for you're comments on my blog.

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Thank-you for coming by Jacqueline.

Unknown said...

I love these spirals and the way they're curved and angular at the same time, and I'm in awe of your beautiful stitching. Glad to have found your blog - it's fascinating.

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Thank-you Fiona, I must say finding your blog has been a treat for me.Shall be visiting more often now.

Anonymous said...

This is cool and I like the idea of having some element from the last month within the design. Have u completed it yet?

Maya Sara Matthew said...

How I wish i could say its done, but life has been getting chaotic and a bit out of hand but I'll be able to post the completed piece by the weekend.

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