Homer's new quilting obsession: Kawandi quilting. Thanks to Bette's cool project at the retreat this year, several of us at quilting have been slightly obsessed with this hand sewing technique. Not only is it a portable project option, but you use up scraps of all sizes. Two of my favorite things! Bette took an online class with Sujata Shah. Some of you might be familiar with her book “Cultural Fusion Quilts,” and if you are interested in modern or funky quilt ideas, you might want to check it out!
Kawandi quilting originated in Africa (they’re known as Sidi quilting) but was brought to western India via African slaves. Old scraps were used, including from old saris. Each Kawandi quilt has a backing, batting, and then the top pieces. The edges are folded under and then stitched. No binding needed! After layering the back with the batting and securing them together, you lay your square scraps, edges folded under, first on the corners, and then down around the edge and then start stitching. You stitch in one continuous line, in a square shaped spiral, until you run out of space in the center of the quilt. The stitches are very hand stitched looking (unless you're me and then your mild OCD makes you do itty bitty straight stitches), and are similar to Sashiko stitching, the rows being about a finger width apart. It's fun to lay the pieces down and figure out which ones you like or where each one will fit into the quilt. For more information (because I am certainly no expert!), you can check out these links:
https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2019/03/modern-kawandi-making.html
https://dizzyquilter.com/2021/02/24/kawandi-quilting-with-quilt-lab/
https://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/2020/11/kawandi.html
