The craft
Appliqué
Cut a shape. Place it. Stitch it down by hand. Appliqué builds a picture out of fabric itself.
- WhereOdisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan
- TechniqueFabric on fabric
- Known forBold shapes, bright colour
Where it comes from
In Pipli, Odisha, appliqué canopies and umbrellas are made for the Jagannath Rath Yatra. In Kutch and Barmer, women use it on quilts and bags, often alongside embroidery and mirror work.
How it’s made
Motifs like flowers, birds and leaves are cut from coloured cloth. Their edges are folded under and hemmed onto a base fabric with tiny stitches, so the shapes sit flat and last for years.
Care
Gentle cold wash. Dry flat in shade.
The hands behind it
Savitri Behera
Savitri loves working with colours and shapes. She carefully cuts and layers fabric pieces, bringing together vibrant compositions that celebrate the beauty of handmade design.
Pramila Sahoo
Pramila sees endless possibilities in small pieces of fabric. Through careful stitching and thoughtful placement, she transforms individual shapes into expressive patterns.
Raghunath Maharana
Raghunath enjoys the precision involved in creating traditional appliqué designs. From cutting motifs to assembling larger compositions, he takes pride in the skill required to make every piece come together.
