Kawandi is a style of quilt created by the Siddi people of India, traditionally done by hand. It is truly scrappy and improvisational. While I like doing hand work, I was also intrigued by faster machine methods. I've listed some resources at the end of this tutorial if you are interested in creating Kawandi by hand, want to see another machine tutorial, want to see some footage of Siddi creating Kawandi by hand, and a discussion of creating Kawandi in your own style. This tutorial describes a new way of creating Kawandi by machine. These are NOT traditional Kawandi, but inspired by the joy and movement of Kawandi-style. I started with a background piece of fabric approximately 8x10", a piece of batting of the same size, and many scraps of batiks or quilting cottons. 1) Place the background over the batting, right side up (this is a quilt as you go technique, so the batting is incorporated from the beginning. 2) Place 4 scraps in the corners, right side DOWN - NOTE I'm using batiks in these examples, so its hard to tell that these pieces are upside down. In this image, you are looking at what will be the WRONG side of those scrap corners. 3) Begin UNDERLAPPING adjoining scraps into the corners. Fold approximately 1/4 inch on the side that will go UNDER the corner. Again, the scraps are placed upside down. Pin the piece in place along the edge. This will be machine sewn. 4) When you get to the next corner, fold the 1/4 inch on both sides of the scrap because it will go under 2 pieces of fabric. 5) Continue folding and underlapping scraps, pinning along the outer edge until you get the entire edge filled. Notice that it doesn't matter if you use short scraps, or long scraps. And again, its impossible to tell from this image because I'm using batiks, but you are looking at the right side of the background, and the WRONG side of the colorful scraps. 6) Sew 1/4 in seam all the way around the edge, removing pins as you come to them. 7) Clip the 4 corners close to the seam, being careful not to cut the thread. 8) Turn right side out by flipping each scrap over the seam. Use a tool to poke out or pull out the corners. There should be no raw edges of fabric along the edge of the piece because they are either in the seam OR they are folded under. 9) Carefully press the outer edge - taking care not to press the batting, as it might melt depending on fiber content. 10) The result is a piece with finished edges like this: 11) Top stitch close to the edge, This will secure all the folded under edges of each scrap. 12) When you are on the 4th side, approaching the beginning of your stitch line, turn the corner about 1/4" or 3/8" before you get there, to start the 'spiral' of stitching. The next steps are done just like Kawandi by hand, but you continue sewing on the machine. 13) To place the next piece, fold under 2 edges. Finger press or iron as necessary. Overlap the unfinished edges of previous scraps. 14) to place a color into a long strip, fold under 3 edges, staying aware of where you will place another scrap to overlap. 15) To keep a small scrap straight as you sew over the edge, it may be necessary to use long tweezers or stiletto. 16) Continue placing scraps and sewing in concentric rectangles, into the center. Note: this picture is from another project than the ones above. 17) Prepare the final scrap by folding under all 4 sides, and sewing the ever smaller rectangles/squares of stitching. 18) For the piece made of batiks, I decided the center "squares" looked better on the diagonal. Although not traditional at all, I've already broken so many 'rules', that I just decided to make this mine. Also, I'm aware that traditional Kawandi have 'folded flowers' in the 4 corners. Include them if you wish. Make it yours! Paula RESOURCES: How to make a Kawandi by hand by Kieren Dutcher https://youtu.be/yFd0xEfKeto How to make a Kawandi by machine (with binding) by Mel Beach https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2019/03/modern-kawandi-making.html Margaret Fabrizio travels to India to learn Kawandi from Siddi quilters: https://youtu.be/WqdIswL96q4 Margaret Fabrizio shows her own Kawandi quilts, and talks about making them in her own style. https://youtu.be/4NRxqOqp_UA
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This last couple of weeks, I've been away with my family, enjoying a Carnival cruise around the south pacific. We had a lovely time away enjoying time on tropical islands and sea days filled up with ship activities. There is always a lot to do on a ship. I knew that I'd need something to sew when I had downtime, so brought a small bag of pink scraps to work on a Kawandi style project. It's very portable style of project to work on while away from the sewing room. The night before we left, I prepared the backing piece and pressed the edges with a decent 3/4" seam. I took along my bag of scrap fabric, a needle and small spool of variegated Aurifil 12 wt thread # 4651, thread, scissors, marker and small ruler to ensure that my lines weren't going too far out whack. I also took a little packet of applique pins to keep my pieces in place when I rolled up the project before heading out to the next trivia challenge or show in the theatre. I worked most of the project on the ship and finished it off last night. I think I might choose a different colour scrap tub and make some more. It's nice to have a slow-sewing project ready to work, without deadlines to worry about. Have you tried making a kawandi style of project? When I saw the beautiful Kawandi works by Linda over at Flourishing Palms, I was inspired to try this style myself. I'm so glad that I did. The stitches may not be straight or perfect, but they were very enjoyable.
Quilts by Paula Fleischer, political and otherwise
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I wanted to learn more about Kawandi quilts and the Siddis who make them. So last spring I took a kawandi quilt making workshop.
A modern take on a classic American heirloom, the Stillwater Floral Quilt’s bold color-blocking and symmetry pay homage to traditional applique, while its mirrored floral motif makes it easy to style in either direction. The perfect layering piece throughout the seasons, this jacquard woven textile’s cozy weight and lived-in texture are sure to be forever cherished. Made in Portugal from 100% cotton. A Schoolhouse Original. • A Schoolhouse Original • Handcrafted from 100% cotton • Cozy, jacquard woven textile
Dear Liza, This week, I have learned about a whole new kind of quilting! It has been an adventure in history, geography, and craft. Kawandi quilting is from Western India and Pakistan, but it was b…
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orimetextiles.com
The Maypole quilt pattern is a simple yet bold design reminiscent of ribbons woven together. This striking composition varies greatly based on color.
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How to Sew a Quilt Coat or patchwork jacket. A full diy tutorial with pattern suggestion, sewing tips, outfit ideas, tools to use, total cost,
I decided to try a new style and a Hawaiian applique quilt is a challenge for me. I'm not really good at applique, so I'll try with a small pattern. I started reading about traditional Hawaiian quilts, and this is the first pattern a beginner has to start with: Ulu, or Breadfruit. I did a little research, and finally, I made a drawing inspired by Pinterest pattern pictures and the real tree pictures. pattern cutting the fabric ready to start the applique Thank you for visiting!
Earlier in the week, I started a new kawandi quilt project. I got the back all pressed up, inserted a layer of thin cotton batting and then trimmed, pressed and pinned down the pieces around my edge. I stitched maybe one row around ... and then didn't get any further. Life, generally, just got in the way of any sewing. This morning, up too early for a Sunday as I had to drop my daughter at work by 7am, I sat in my sewing room when I got back and thought I'd add a couple of rows to my kawandi... and then kept at it for a couple more hours. I turned on my audio book and enjoyed the process. I did eventually have to stop and get some jobs done around the house (blurgh) but looked into the room and saw the sun shining on my sewing table, so thought I'd sew a little bit more. I tried to film a little bit of the stitching and upload a short reel to TikTok. Anyone else on TikTok? I much prefer Instagram, but I thought I'd give it a go and try to be more active on the platform. Here's the link to the video if anyone wants to have a look. @sameliasmum Hand quilting on a sunny Sunday afternoon #quilt #quilting #kawandi #aurifilthread #sewingtiktok #quiltingtiktok #handmade #sameliasmum #bigstitchquilting #slowsewing #sewing ♬ Little Things - Tiqta In other exciting news, I've been selected as an Aurifil Artisan for 2023/2024. This will be my second year collaborating with Aurifil. I'm looking forward to seeing the upcoming list of challenges and working on the themes, in my own way. Fun!
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Most of us wear jeans and often times we wear them out too. You can do cool things with visible mending (see this post for some cool books about mending) to prolong the life of your jeans, but sometimes your old jeans are just past their life of being an item of clothing and it’s time to give them a new lease of life. That’s what this section of the website is all about! We’ve compiled all our ideas for upcycling old jeans in one place. Scroll down to find our latest upcycled & repurposed denim ideas or check out these popular posts: 25 Stunning Ideas for Reusing your Old Jeans How to Cut Up Old Jeans for Sewing & Upcycling Projects DIY Denim Quilt from Old Jeans (Reversible Picnic Blanket) DIY Denim Handbag with an Upcycled Leather Belt Strap Upcycling Stretch Denim; Face your Fears!
We love beautiful bedding! The Bungalow Reversible Quilt in our Chelsea design is made of the coziest, lightweight cotton, making it super soft. It also features a delicate, Kantha style hand-stitching for a vintage look! You'll love how easy it is to switch up your bedding with this reversible quilt that has pink, purple and yellow floral artwork on one side and charming, dainty flowers on the other! Complete the set with the matching Chelsea Bungalow Reversible Shams, Set of 2 and Bungalow Reversible Euro Sham, and collect our Mix & Match Sheets to create different combos for a total Bohemian bed!
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Browse free vintage patterns, retro hair tutorials and affordable vintage clothing. Enjoy diy fashion crafts and classic style inspiration
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Hi Everyone, Well, my first day of spring break was completely unproductive. But it felt GOOD to be unproductive! haha! Thank you so much for all of your positive feedback and comments on my finished project. I really appreciate them. I am very excited by how Finding my Marbles turned...
How to Machine Quilt with the Serpentine Stitch
In this article I'm sharing 20 sewing patterns that I think are perfect for summer. The best part is, they're also completely free!
