Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 May 2024, Gujarati Embroidery and Mending Stitches with RaasLeela

Hosted on Zoom by RaasLeela

Each garment produced by RaasLeela is stitched by hand, using traditional sewing techniques from Gujarat, India. They follow the ethos of sustainability by repairing and conserving materials and techniques, along with using environmentally-conscious practices. Processes and materials are chosen thoughtfully with functionality central to their design. Resources are consumed sustainably and Indian textile craft techniques are revived through their hand-stitched garments.

Outline of the workshop:
During this two day workshop, participants will get a chance to learn various Gujarati embroidery techniques from specialised artisans. 

The workshop will guide you through the basics of Gujarati embroidery and mending techniques, improvising the quality and modifying the stitch for an individual style. The history and beliefs behind these embroideries will be highlighted. The particularly special way of cutting and shaping mirrors will also be taught along with a technique to attach them to the fabric.

6 trained artisans from the RaasLeela team will teach various Gujarati embroidery stitches and visible mending techniques. The techniques that will be covered in the workshop are as follows:

• Bawalio stitch and its forms (interlacing stitch and its forms)
• Jali stitch (interwoven stitch)
• Sadubharat (heringbon stitch) and its shapes
• Variations in Faant (running stitch)
• Bakhiyo (back stitch)
• Sankdi (chain stitch)
• Chireli Sankdi (open chain stitch)
• Satin stitch
• Katab work (cut work)
• Kangree applique
• Shapes of applique
• Tikdi, Tikda, Lira (variation of applique)

As most of the artisans do not speak English, the workshop will be led by an English-speaking facilitator.

Level of experience
This workshop is open to beginners.

An embroidery kit will be sent to each participant prior to the workshop which will contain:

• Handwoven cotton base fabric for embroidery
• Fabric remnants for appliqué
• Paper stencil of various shapes for appliqué
• Threads, needles, scissor, seam reaper
• Small pieces of mirrors and small pieces of clay roof tile to shape mirrors
• A booklet explaining stitches
• A booklet explaining the story of the RaasLeela brand, its people and concepts of sustainability.

All materials and tools required for the workshop are included in the provided materials pack.

Please note: material packs are shipped on insured, trackable delivery service. Any customs duties, delays, lost or undeliverable packages are the responsibility of the customer. Once a material pack leaves the workshop tutors' hands with a tracking number, the seller has no further obligation to the buyer.

Workshop recording: 
The workshop will be recorded and the recording will be shared with you after the workshop. Please allow 7 working days for us to send you the recording.

Workshop Cancellation Policy
All places reserved for workshops are non-refundable. However, if you let us know you are not able to make a workshop you have booked at least two weeks prior to the event, we will offer a credit note.

If you require additional information about this workshop please contact Catherine Harris, events@selvedge.org.