Blooming in my Garden

My first quilt ever - Blooming in my Garden is  completed and ready to submit to the India Quilt Festival 2021.

That's the quilt. 3' x 4'  entirely hand stitched except for the binding which was machine stitched by Govindraj, the friendly tailor at Darlington Bridge.

I started the quilt during the lockdown, so apart from designing the quilt I decided to make it an exploration of thrift and sustainability.

So the rules I set myself was to use what I had in my stash  be it fabric, embroidery thread etc. 

The only things I had to buy were a metre of unbleached cotton fabric and iron on paper fusing which I ran out of.

The lovely vivid colored cotton fabric are those I got from a friend who makes garments, the fabric cutoffs from her garment collections.

My garden which has different flowers in bloom as the seasons changed were the inspiration for my motifs.

Every little bit of appliqué,  quilting and joining of blocks was done by hand. I don't have a sewing machine and I couldn't justify buying one just for this project.

All traditional quilts in India are hand sewn be it the Kanthas of Bengal, the Kaudis and Kawandis of Karnataka. A unique artistic expression of the women who make them. Embroidered motifs of flora and fauna found in their environment. They use what they have - give old or torn clothes a new lease of life, a sustainable way of life.

My quilting too is to hold the many layers together so it's simple free-form quilting. The quilt Police will have a lot to say I'm sure.

I used the cartons of Monsoon Harvest  to cut out the paper foundation for the English paper piecing method of patchwork.

For the batting and the back of the quilt I used old bedsheets. Sheets with use and washing have become soft.

It's been a labour of love a project with so much to learn from.

The last big project for 2020.

I'm completing smaller projects for the festive season. A nativity garland to add a Christmas touch to my mum's home. Making batches of easy white chocolate fudge and sending in an application to a gallery which I hope will represent me.

Stay safe and well this holiday season.

Folk textiles - Kaudi - a hand stitched patchwork quilt

While doing chores in the neighbourhood I spied these two patchwork kaudis or quilts spread out on a low wall.   

They must belong to families of migrant construction workers building a house close by. The quilts are put out to air in the sun.   

The women have pieced together old sarees, bits and pieces from other old clothing and probably cutting waste from the local tailor. 

 They usually have two or more layers of fabric. Running stitch done with white thread holds the layers of fabric together.

Neat lines of running stitch are worked in concentric rectangles. At the corners the stitches are a bit more haphazard,I wonder why? Must find out.

 This ones has patches which must come from old sarees.The orange pieces of fabric have a border of paisleys in maroon, yellow and white. Old sarees made soft with wash and wear make soft kaudis.

 There's a hole in this one.Will it be patched to extend the use of the quilt?

The cotton is worn to shreds and there's just a tangle of cotton fibers held down for the time being with running stitch.

Read more about kaudi's here and about Kantha which is another folk textile and a thrift craft click here.
If you would like to buy a kaudi I'm selling kaudi throws at Studio Ebony in Whitefiled, Bangalore, if you would like to buy a kaudi.
Studio Ebony

• Lake View Farm, Varthur Main Road, 
• Ramagondanahalli, WhiteField
• Bangalore, India 560066
• Open : Tue - Sun 10.30 -18.00

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