Conversations on Quilts from India

 

 It is my lucky week and I want to share my joy with you all.

 

Quilt from The Henry Drewal Collection

Lately my posts here on the blog  have been far and few in between. But I am happy to be sharing any information I can here about the quilting in India. 

There are two online events coming up within a week or so. I highly recommend that you sign up for both. That is if you are into any kind of hand quilting and hand stitching. 

The first event is about the Kantha Revival in Easter India and Bangladesh. What we know as quilter is kantha stitching but most have very little info on what an actual Kantha quilt is. This is a really good opportunity to view the film and join the conversation.  

Kantha of Bangladesh Tickets- $5-10

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kantha-in-bangladesh-from-hidden-corners-to-public-view-registration-140441196399#

 

Here is another event of Siddi Quilts of India. It is a conversation between Dr. Henry Drewal and Dr. Sarah Khan. 

The quilts from their collection are in an exhibit at Cove St. Arts . It will be worth a drive if you are anywhere near Portland, ME.

February 6 - March 27 2021

This exhibition is co-curated by Henry J. Drewal, Evjue-Bascom Professor of African and African Diaspora Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who first saw kawandi while documenting Siddi expressive culture in 2004 and Sarah K. Khan. All of the quilts in the exhibition are by members of the nonprofit Siddi Womens’ Quilting Cooperative, which is keeping this tradition alive and vibrant

You can also sign up for an event on eventbrite  - click on the link below. You may not want o miss this at all.

Soulful Stitching by Siddi's of Karnataka - Tickets  $0-100

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soulful-stitching-a-scholarly-social-practice-tickets-141232412949?aff=ebdssbeac#

I would love to know what you thought after you attend these events.

 

Have a great week!

Sujata

Stories in Stitches - A New Begining

 

 

I was quite certain to be able to offer workshops in the month of January but it took us few weeks to get our footings back in the home. I have spent last three weeks unpacking, arranging and rearranging our belongings. I am sure it is not the end of it all but excited that we have managed to make some progress towards normalcy of life. 

Here is a little peek at my sewing space. There is a lot to organize. I can not wait to get my hands on my stash!

 

Guess what? All the plant babies survived the apartment from late summer to early winter. 

 

 

For me, normalcy in life also means teaching more workshops and I am happy to offer new workshops for Siddi quilt. Please click on the link below to sign up for the class. Once you have registered, you will have the access to the supply list and instructions for light prep work.  

You will also find the link for the zoom meeting for the day of the workshop. 

 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/139558833227

 

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/122139882677

 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/139567499147

 

Feel free to send an email if you have nay questions regarding the workshops. 

Happy Stitching!

Sujata

 

December Workshops for Siddi quilt.

 

Registration for December workshops is now live! Please join me for few hours of mindful, meditative process of  slow-stitch. 

Update - There are only few spots left in Siddi Quilt 107

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stories-in-stitches-siddi-quilt-107-tickets-129643309629

Siddi Quilt 108 is sold out.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stories-in-stitches-siddi-quilt-108-tickets-129645070897

Stories in Stitches - A webinar

A Quilt Story - I Really Want to Tell  

I still remember that day very distinctly. I was at my niece' house in Seattle and walking down the stairs. I had just received an email from Gwen informing me that someone name Kris will contact me and if she asked to teach, I should grab that opportunity. 

That very afternoon, I heard from Kris Cornell of Quilted Strait. The email said, Gwen who had been teaching at Quilted Strait was going to retire and she had suggested my name to be filling the spot to teach at that shop. I remember becoming a puddle with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. 

I picked up the phone and called Gwen in an instance. I knew then and know now, I could never fill her spot and do what she did. But I did end up teaching at Quilted Strait for a couple of times. More importantly I got to meet and come to know the nicest person who owns the most beautiful shop in the northwest.  I was scheduled to teach this very week but that did not happen due to the shutdown. So we have teamed up to do the best thing possible. 

 

 

I have prepared a brand new talk about post Cultural Fusion Quilts and the subject is very important to me. It is the essence of my approach to quilting and why most every quilt I make becomes personal.

On Sunday, October 18 I hope you can join me for an hour of presentation followed by Q/A.

Tickets are available on Quilted Strait website.

https://quiltedstrait.com/

Happy Monday to you all!

Sujata

A Siddi Quilt Workshop

 

 

Month of September has been a mix bag here at the Shah household. In the midst of it all I offered Siddi Quilt workshops. Thanks to all of you who signed up, it was an enjoyable experience. 

Those who missed the workshops, with all your requests via emails and Instagram, I have scheduled two more workshops for the month of October. 

The supply list is on the workshop page.

The time of the workshop reflects Pacific Standard time. You will have to check the time in your zone before selecting the session.

You will receive a zoom invite a week prior to the workshop date.

So excited!

Click on the link and it will take you to the Eventbrite sign up page. 

For Friday, 10/09/2020 Click on the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-stories-in-stitches-siddi-quilt-104-tickets-122656529983

 

For Saturday 10/10/2020 Click on the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stories-in-stitches-siddi-quilt-103-tickets-122148616801

I hope to see you then!

Be well my friends!

Sujata

Free Access to The Quilt Show - Episode 2705

As promised in my last post, I am here to give you an update on my show. Grab a cup of tea this weekend and watch it for free. The quilt show is offering one week of free access!

http://thequiltshow.com/watch/show-list/video/latest/show-2705-sujata-shah-freddy-moran?artist_coupon=27050830

 

Click on the link and it will take you right where you need to be. Alex Anderson and Ricky Tim's bring you the friendliest interactive online community for quilters worldwide. Join today to learn, share create, connect and watch Alex and Ricky in brand new episodes of  "The Quilt Show"! 

 

My show is available to watch for free from September 2-13, 2020 

 

Watch the show and learn what memories this quilt holds for me.

 

There is so much packed in it, you really do not want to miss it. It is an honor to be in the same episode as my dear friend Freddy! She shares her philosophy on creating, living, and her beautiful, inspiring home!

I would love to hear what you think of the show.

Have a great weekend!

Sujata

 

The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson

Hi friends!

Last week I went to Alex Anderson's home for the taping of the Quilt Show! You know, nothing ever happens overnight and there is always a story behind any event in life.

So here is the story.

I was scheduled to tape a show last year but as you all know, that wasn't meant to be. Sometimes what doesn't materialize turns out to be the best thing ever because life always has a way of turning things around for you when you are not looking.

Early this year, soon after I returned from India, we all went in to stay-at-home order. With a complete shut down, I knew for sure there wasn't going to be any taping of the show in 2020 either.

I was wrong. As the restrictions lifted to certain extent, The Quilt Show decided to tape the shows at two different locations. With keeping all social distancing guidelines in mind, Alex Anderson opened up her home to tape few shows with local artists in the area and I was one of them.

It was a fun day for sure. I was little nervous about choosing the right quilts that would convey my story and the demos that would be right for the time frame we were given.

The day of the taping approached faster than I thought. Just a couple of days before the show, I got a call from Alex, (who is also in my quilt group) telling me that she and her husband got tested for Covid-19 and both had tested negative. I couldn't be happier. Knowing that, and the fact that I do not go anywhere, I felt safe for the taping of the show.

The Quilt Show crew was great to work with.  Although, I must say, if I ever were to run into them on the street, I wouldn't recognize them at all as their faces were covered with the masks during the entire session.

If there is anything I would change about the day, I would wear a mask not just before but also during the taping of the show. Alex and I both discussed in length over this past weekend. We both agreed, the times we are living in, it is crucial to convey the importance of wearing a mask ourselves.

Here we are, under the tent in Alex's backyard. Freddy Moran had just called Alex and I was talking with her in this moment.

Here are two nicest cameramen setting up the room for shooting.

They all were wearing the funniest smiling masks. I could tell they were really smiling from their eyes.

Producer Shelly explaining the step by step instructions to me. This all was so new to me, I was listening to every single word.

Here we are at the demo table. For the first time, I realized how much work goes into taping of an hour long show. They were all so professional and courteous! The best part of taping was, I never had to drive or fly out of the state.

Alex doesn't know this but I had heard of her just as I was starting out as a quilter and now we are in the same quilt group. Life is full of full circle moments! It was a treat to meet her husband and work with her crew.
  
I am not sure when the show will air but I think pretty soon. Stay tuned, I will keep you all posted.

Sujata