I'm speaking at QuiltCon!!!

I have some news! And the most exciting news of all!!!

I will be speaking at QuiltCon 2017!!!



I'm over the moon about my lecture!

And I simply love my topic : "Quilting in India : A review of Siddi Quilts, Godharis and Contemporary Quilt Making"

For the past few weeks, I have been keeping my eyes and ears open and looking out for some excellent examples of quilts to bring to you.

Right now I am focusing on Godharis of Maharashtra.

The regional differences in the method of construction vary so much! It is really a whole new exciting world!

I had always wanted to study the beautiful art pieces that come out of these humble settlements.

The people who live in these temporary accommodations are the "Nandi-baili" people. they are a nomadic tribe. they have a bull that they decorate and take it around town, people then ask them about astrology - basically they predict people's futures. They come back home with whatever donations people give them. That is their source of income.

The womenfolk make quilts from old clothes, their own or sometimes they buy clothes from the old clothes market.

Here are some of the quilts that I saw. The work was absolutely mind blowing!!!

They have used every material available right from Georgette, chiffon, Silk to Cotton and Linen.

Here is a quilt that is work in progress.

This wonderful quilter even demonstrated her style to us.

The designs were spectacular!

The workmanship was impeccable.

There was so much to learn from these women. They have limited means and they create absolute master pieces.

Now next time when my Rotary cutter blade dulls a little and I find myself cursing, I will think about these women who do not even use scissors! They use a razor blade to snip and then tear the fabric!!!

Are you ready to see more and hear more???

Sign up for the lecture at Quiltcon 2017!!!

You're not a member of the Modern Quilt Guild yet?

Go join!!!

How could I?

I have never done this...

NEVER in the 3 (almost) years that I have been blogging...

I made a quilt...

And I forgot to blog about it!





As most of you are aware, Modern Quilt Guild is organizing QuiltCon at the end of this month.

The Modern Quilt Guild had arranged a QuiltCon Block Challenge. Worldwide, members had to make blocks - any size, any shape, any deisgn - using the colors of QuiltCon

As generous as a quilting community can be, the MQG headquarters was flooded with blocks from every corner of the world...

As a way of saying “thank you” to the City of Austin, the remaining blocks were to be used to make quilts for Austin Children’s Shelter.

India Modern Quilt Guild had volunteered to make one quilt.

We received 12 fabulous blocks...

And I put it together, on behalf of the India MQG...

 I quilted the entire quilt minus the white rectangle in the lower left corner in a stipple. I did a paisley quilting in the corner... I'm so happy and proud to be a part of this project...

The blocks were so varied in size that I wasn't sure how to put them together. In the end after innumerable attempts of laying them on my largish bed (I need a Design Wall) to make into a pattern I decided to piece them such that all the blocks were together... And then went on to fill in the negative spaces with solids in shades of Grey and Browns... I also used just one large piece of White solid in one corner...

I am really happy the way it has all come together. I quilted it with Aurifil thread!

Have I told you how much essential it is to have the right tools to make quilting fun and not a chore!

My machine (now that it is at level with the table) and Aurifil Threads are the 2 things I do not want to change in my Studio right now.  It makes quilting a breeze!

As it is crossing the oceans (I just got the news that it has arrived in US and has been released by the Customs Dept for delivery - Yay! - thanks to Indianpost Tracking!) I am so happy that this quilt is going to bring brightness and happiness in the life of a child on the other side of this world! Wow! I have been dreaming since sending this one that someday I'll meet the child who has been sleeping under this quilt!