Friday / Saturday, August 16 & 17, 2024
10:00 - 16:00 with a lunch break
WSNF's SlowFiberStudios Annex, Berkeley, CA
Mirror embroidery, or shisha embroidery, originated in India in the 17th century. Ordinary people mimicked the jeweled garments of the wealthy by decorating fabric with silver beetles’ wings and mica chips.
When a process for manufacturing tiny mirror discs was developed during the Mughal Empire, these tiny mirrors or shisha were swiftly adopted for fabric embellishment. The sparkle was also once seen as a protection (from evil spirits, evil eye).
Over two days, students will learn the design and processes for mirror embroidery through demonstrations, examining samples, and much practice on cotton cloth. Students will design and embroider their final mirror project on a hand-loomed merino wool stole, 16” x 78” (40.5 cm x 198 cm)
Class Materials: $30 (paid directly to the instructor)
Students will need to bring their own sewing supplies:
*Note: Hand-loomed merino wool stoles, 16” x 78” (40.5 cm x 198 cm), will be available in natural, Indian madder-dyed (Rubia cordifolia), or indigo-dyed (Indigofera tinctoria). If you prefer an indigo or madder-dyed stole, please pay the difference.
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.
