Zindagi ka taana-banna!!

Blog, Craft Work 3 Minutes

Every patchwork bedspread I stitch holds a special place in my heart. It is a journey into the inner recesses of my mind. As I embark on the journey, I explore! I explore the colours, the fabrics, the textures, the patterns and more importantly the emotions they bring to the surface. The idea that appeals the most, takes the journey forward.

This time, it was a little different. I wanted to gather as many colours, hues and prints that I possibly could in a 70” x 70” space. The idea had been on my mind since a year or two. It kept nudging me and didn’t let me be at peace till I embarked on this colourful, vibrant journey to the unknown!!

In the past 2-3 years, I had collected few leftover pieces of cloth from various sewing projects. I started by cutting pieces of 2.5” x 3.5”. It was no easy task. During summer vacations, it took me three days just to cut those pieces. And as I started stitching them together I found they were not enough to make a bedspread. At this pace I would have to wait for another 4-5 years to finish the project. And…I had other doubts too!! 

The work begins…

I had never been so ‘bindass’ in my collection of colours. There were innumerable to start with. It seemed they didn’t fit in aesthetically. Moreover, I had not finalised any pattern for the bedspread. The journey had started on a whim and now I was left rudderless in the deep waters. That’s when my mosi came to my rescue. She gave me scraps from her collection. Fortunately, most of the scraps were from my old projects: from the frocks I stitched for Aamya as a toddler, pieces from baby sheets or shorts, pyjamas sewn in all these years, which I had happily donated to her. We worked to finalise the design too. So, this aspect was sorted.

Any patchwork project need time, physical labour and patience. It isn’t possible to pull it off during regular working days. Well! now I eagerly waited for the winter vacations to begin. July, August, September, October, November…and December was the most difficult to pass. And then arrived the most blessed times – the winter vacations. There was perfect sunshine to pep up my mood and I was ready to unleash my creativity. I entered into a state of meditative trance!!

Again, I spent 3-4 days just to cut the scraps and make the most of each piece of cloth even though it was just a scrap. Each piece had to be ironed to smooth out the creases before cutting it. Interestingly, while I was cutting the pieces for my project, I managed to trim squares of 5” and 4” for the upcoming projects. So the excitement continues. A single piece of leftover cloth has so much potential. If we do not throw it away, it can be of so much more use.

With every piece I stitched, the excitement grew. I could not wait for another day to pass to see the entire centre piece sewn together so I stitched with new vigour (and madness)! I stitched all day long!!

The centre piece was sewn and ready to be clicked by 8 pm. Needless to say that I was thrilled to the core. This piece though is just 66″ x 66″ but it has over 500 pieces from atleast 200 different clothes. It is a feat in itself. It looks fabulous, amazing and vibrant. Much better than the one work I had set out to make.

I am a perfectionist and this one is NOT the perfect piece I have sewn but it has taught me many life lessons. First and foremost, it is not important to be perfect everytime. Relax! An imperfect work has the ability to make you ecstatic too!

The completed project…the bedspread with more than 500 pieces from around 200 different clothes

This project has scraps of different textures. Each has it’s own characteristics and stretchability! Lesson two: with a little adjustments, things can fall into place. Infact the amalgamation of textures and patterns has given the piece its unique identity.

There are innumerable colours and hues, carelessly strewn all over the 66″ square. There is no scheme or pattern for the eye to follow. Lesson three: it is not important to have a colour specific palette or scheme always! The colours in life erupt randomly and make it picturesque!!

Lastly, it has taught me that if you become adventurous and embark on journeys into the unknown territories, you experience a gamut of emotions – thrill, fear, anxiety, joy, bliss which are woven together; they test you but enrich you as an individual!!

Apne ehsason se zindagi ko haseen banana...Yehi hai zindagi ka tanaa-banaa!!

Published by charuthebuddha

Published

26 thoughts on “Zindagi ka taana-banna!!”

  2. Exquisite work Charu.Its not easy to do a bedspread but it has come out so vibrant.It seems you have woven indeed the fabric of life.Congratulations.

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  5. Really very nice .. by daily seeing your woven bedspread , you will be able to cherish childhood memories of your daughter, the clothes she used to wear when she was a kid..creativity at its best!

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  6. बचे हुए कपड़ो को जोड़-तोड़ के सीने पर एक सुंदर गुदड़ी तयार होती है जो नवजात के लिए उपयोग मैं लाए जाती है. I have seen many gudadi thoughout but this is such a amazing art-work. Also this shows how persistent you are to bring such wonder-product out of your workshop. Kudos. And yes, this also represents the life of people that such small small pieces, if stitched together, can make our canvas “Colorful and beautiful’.

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  9. As I read the post, I could feel the excitement and that creative nudge you mentioned which made you eager and enthusiastic to wait for the winter break to finally begin the process! Its humbling, creative and a wonderful project of peace you have weaved together.
    Will you start taking orders for it? 😊

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  10. Charu this beautiful creation tells the interesting story of varoius khatte/ meethe experiences in one’s life….the rainbow of different shades of colors and designs represent the happiest,happier and not so happy times.But you my dear have made even the not so bright colors look joyous and cheerful simply by arranging them in the right way with your beautiful positive outlook.The bed spread tells how life can be made as beautiful ,progressive ,peaceful and contented as one wants to. I admire your take on life ….there is a lot to learn and imbibe.Bless you.

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