The simple reason for which I decided to applique/embroider those peacocks was
just to use up some of the brocades & antique gold laces that I had for
years!Frankly when I embroider birds, I always want to stick to actual colours &
details but for these three pairs of peacocks I deviated from the
habit/practice.And I must confess towards the end I had to just force myself to
complete the embroideries!!I just didn't enjoy making them. Long before they
were put on the blog I had them photographed along with other work.When my
daughter uploaded the pictures and I viewed them I realised that one pair(where
there are two fishes as well)did't have their feet embrodered!Ofcourse, before
framing I did complete the embroidery.But I embroidered just one
foot & for the other I stitched on some antique silver flowers to hide
that space.This pair of peacocks has an old gara(Parasi embroidery) border which
had adorned my great grandmothers long blouse("kudti" as they called it).It was
embroidered by she herself.If you take a close look at the border embroidery it
has bird pattern in it.
The navy blue peacocks too have a lot of antique gold laces inculcated.
When these pictures were put on the blog I just knew that my dear old owl would
be more appreciated & wasn't wrong.The simple, embroidered interpretation of the peacock on the rust
background is an inspiration from a drawing made by a native craftsman from the
region of Maharashtra.
