Traditional Art: Suf and Kharek Embroidery

Education: 7th grade

Varshaben is one of the best educated young women in her community. Her father, an officer in the Border Wing, took college courses and wanted his daughter to study. In school, Varshaben was recognized in dramas and recitation competitions. But she learned her traditional embroidery by herself, by watching family members and relatives. Today, she embroiders for her own use as well as for the Equal Craft partner organization, Kala Raksha. Through Kala Raksha exhibitions she has traveled to Delhi and Mumbai. A good artisan can make varied pieces, Varshaben says, and works with concentration. And the colours of her work should shine. Varshaben believes the future of embroidery depends on sale. She would like to learn cutting, sewing, and photography as well as design for her embroidery

In October 2005, Kala Raksha launched a design school for working traditional artisans of Kutch and Tejuben attended a series of courses on design and marketing.

In Course 1, Colour, Basic Design, Sourcing from Nature and Heritage, Varshaben learned colour interaction and design elements. She embroidered Gujarati alphabets to illustrate high and low contrast colour combinations, and a series of posters on design elements. For homework, she created a bag for her sister that employed what she had learned.

“We learned colour matching. Contrast means that it looks bright. We drew from life. Now, I want to learn sewing and computer.”

In Course 2, Market Orientation, Varshaben took a field trip with her classmates to Ahmedabad. After visiting shops and homes, she returned to make a product for someone she had met. For homework, she embroidered a cushion cover for an imaginary person.

In Course 3, Concept, Communication, Projects, Varshaben learned to work from a theme. Using inspiration from the local jungle, she created a men’s shirt and a lamp shade with a series of butterflies in suf embroidery of subtle earth tones. She completed the shirt with fine detailing in the 4th class, Finishing.

“I made a man’s shirt and then the idea of the whole collection came to me!”

In Class 5, Merchandising, Presentation, Varshaben learned to document her work using the computer. She created a hang tag for her theme, and learned to make colour ways. In the second week, she learned display and presented her work to a mock jury.

Varshaben’s final collection, men’s wear with suf embroidered jungle inspired details, showed sophistication, imagination, and a touch of play.

“I want to go ahead. I will remember colour and be able to do any theme.”

Varshaben displayed and presented her collection with a flair. The jury was an opportunity for her to emerge in a collegial way with established design professionals. For her embroidered men’s wear, she received the award for Most Marketable Collection!

Varshaben’s collection looked great in the fashion show. She walked confidently down the ramp, and proudly received her certificate and award.