This is a mauve & golden handwoven shot silk saree(see the pattern in the weave).The border stitched on it was handembroidered by my
great grandmother,using very thin silver & gold wires apart from
floral motifs in satin stitch using silk thread.Originally,it was on
her long "dupatta".I have put it on this saree & it looks gorgeous &
unique.
This yet another baeutiful handwoven silk saree in purple gold with a strikingly see green "pallu"(that part of the saree which is flung
over the shoulder).Unfortunately,the colours in the photograph are
not very vivid.The border on it was embroidered by my greatgrandmothe
using real gold sequins on a deep purple satin strip.It adorned her
long blouse once upon a time.Thus on the saree it was just sufficient
for the front & then turned at 90 degree angle on the shoulder.This
border was lying with me ever since I got married.It was only year
before last that I came across this strking saree in an exhibition
organised by an NGO called"Paramparik(Tradition)Textile" in Mumbai &
knew immediately that its just meant for this border!
These are two cushion covers where I have restoered very old
coasters & laces from my bag of inherited rags!
A pair of single,crazy appliqued silk bedcovers.These were stiched
about 15 years ago in which I had used most of the silk pieces
retrieved from my great gradmother's dresses.Regular washing caused
wear & tear resulting in many holes.I got down to repair them with
some left over embroidered pieces of fabric by appliquing those over
the holes.Some of the holes were covered by embroidering flowers on
them, while a few were covered by appliquing pieces of laces made by
my paternal & maternal grandmothers.Those laces were part of my
dresses when I got married about 32 years ago.The dresses were
torn/outgrown but the laces were salvaged
Yet another appliqued collage made out of old & almost extinct
embroideries & laces combined with a recent embroidery by me-a spray
of yellow flowers-retrieved from a worn out silk cushion cover.I have
purposely restricted the colour scheme predominantly to blues &
yellow.No red or pink here.This too will be framed.
Above: Dupatta or long gossamer scarf.
Above: Wearing the same sari as in the other pictures. A friend slung a shiny garland on my shoulder - it was a New Year's party.
above: Lehenga or long skirt with hand embroidery on mesh.
Above: the Zari embroidered border of another very pink satin lehenga.
Above: details of a Saayaa or long men's jacket.
These specimens were all made by hand by my great grand mother's generation. They're called "Lehengas" & "Garas". A lot of them remain intact with me & some I've transferred into picture frames or my own clothing.
Much of the embroidery on the "Saayaas" was done using magnifying glasses in Kashmir.
Artisans that made such superb embroideries are unfortunately either extinct or almost there. Dead from poor patronage or killed by cheap, immitaion Chinese imports.
Above: lower portion of a 'kurta' became a blouse. The eyelet was actually a portion of the kurta that was stained & had to be removed!
Above: A woven 'dupatta' with tassles converted into a sari blouse. Tassles are intact on the sleeves.
Above: Cholis (sari blouses). The emphasis is on the back & sleeves. Some of the backs are original fronts of 'kurtas'.
Above: My daughter wearing a blouse designed by me from antique scraps on her wedding reception. The sari is hand woven with a white gold border.
