Flavors from Rann of Kutch, India!

Summer Hands-on Workshops
with Rajka Design’s Ritu Sarabhai

Two Weekends in August
Berkeley, CA

Reverse Appliqué Cotton of Kutch

Saturday / Sunday, August 24 & 25, 2024
10:00 - 16:00 with a lunch break

LIVE 2-Day Workshop
Location: WSNF's SlowFiberStudios Annex, Berkeley, CA

$275 / $240 Members

In reverse appliqué, incisions are made in the layer of overlying fabric, revealing the base fabric to make patterns. In India appliqué is used on a wide range of objects including hangings for temples or for the household, on tents and canopies for festive occasions, to decorate camels and bullocks. Appliqué has been used as an alternative method of decorating fabrics instead of weaving or other forms of embroidery.

Over two days, students will learn the design and processes for Reverse Appliqué of Kutch through demonstrations, examining samples, and much practice on cotton cloth. She’ll demonstrate the use of fabric scraps, a great way to avoid waste.

Class Materials: $10 (paid directly to the instructor)

  • two colored cotton practice cloth
  • a packet of needles
  • colored embroidery threads to share
  • Yoshiko will share cotton scraps from Dosa production.

 

Students will need to bring their own sewing supplies:

  • thread clippers/scissors
  • reading glasses
  • a pin cushion
  • a needle threader
  • embroidery hoop. Suggested minimum size 6 in (15.24 cm) to a maximum size 8 in (20.32 cm)
Register for workshop

Our Instructor

Ritu Sarabhai, a designer at Rajka Designs, channels her lifelong passion into creating bespoke, handcrafted garments and home furnishings that celebrate India’s rich textile heritage. It was founded in 1982 by Rajshree Sarabhai and Kartikeya Sarabhai in Ahmedabad. It’s a four decade old textile studio renowned for working with top design studios in Japan, Uk, Europe and USA. Rajka Designs embodies a commitment to preserving India’s rich textile traditions while innovating for sustainability and cultural continuity.

Growing up in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Ritu was immersed in a city rich with textile heritage. Ahmedabad, once dubbed the “Manchester of India,” housed numerous textile mills, including the pioneering Calico Mills established by the Sarabhai family in 1880. This environment shaped her appreciation for textiles and influenced her design philosophy, which is deeply rooted in heritage and craftsmanship.

She is eager to share with you the beauty and craftsmanship behind Indian textiles, as well as their profound cultural narratives.