Colourful Patchwork of Uttarakhand

Ranging from bed covers and curtains, the embroiderers make cushion covers, bags, carry bags, cosmetic holders, stuffed toys, notebook covers, table runners, table mats, teapot covers, oven gloves and even well styled garments.

A cushion cover using colour co-ordinated patchwork and running stitches to create texture on the surface of the base cloth demonstrate the careful planning of a design.

Cushion covers are in standard sizes and are designed both with a western or Indian customer in mind.

Whimsical designs and colourways give Stree Shakti’s hand embroidered products a special edge.

Small purses, or mobile covers are made for quick selling to a younger age group who visit craft bazaars.

A handy washbag serves as a useful article for travel

In colder climates as in Uttarakhand in winter, a teapot cover is a useful table accessory that evokes nostalgia of times in the hills when tea drinking was a leisurely activity.

A notebook cover has fun with elephant images.

Elephants are a popular subject for visitors to India.

This cushion cover plays with that idea.

A close up of this quilt highlights the intricate stitching and high quality of work done by the patchwork embroiderers of Stree Shakti at Purkal in Uttarakhand.

Colourful leaves and flowers are carefully surrounded with finely executed running stitches.

Soft toys at the Purkal Stree Shakti Samiti are whimsical and fun.

Perky notebooks for children have embroidered cloth covers that serve as good birthday gifts.

The designs of quilts range from eclectic creations like seascapes to traditional geometric patterns.

Stri Shakti offers a range of quilts specially designed for small children.

Geometric patterns with intricate arrangements in multiple coloured printed cloth contrast with free style designs on other pieces.

Padded patchwork, quilting and fine stitching are hallmarks of the products made by women who began with no knowledge of sophisticated embroidery.

A child’s quilt encourages learning the alphabet.

Designs which use Indian printed fabric but have an international design palette bridge both worlds.

The American quilting tradition was an important aspect of its folk culture.

Many quilting clubs there follow meticulously arranged geometric patterns that are ably replicated here by women embroiders in Uttarakhand.

Read more about patchwork craft from Purkal here:
-The Community of Patchwork Artisans
-Process