Story of Applique

  Among the traditional textiles of India, the art of appliqué work occupies a distinguished place. According to the Webster’s dictionary, "appliqué is a ‘decoration or trimming made of one material attached by sewing, gluing, etc. to another." In India, appliqué art is widely prevalent in the western states, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan, and in the eastern coast of Orissa.

It is believed that appliqué work made its way into western India either from Europe or Arabia in the Middle East through trade contacts.

Applique work of Orissa

"Pipli, a place in Orissa is a main center of Appliqué work."

The red, purple, black, yellow, green and white fabrics are mostly used. First, a applique material

is prepared in the shape of square, rectangle, circle or oval,and then it is stitched onto the base cloth in aesthetic arrangements. 

                                                          
 Punjab also has traditional appliqué work called 'Phulkari'. This craft is usually executed on shawls.

While in Andhara Pradesh Banjara women wear blouses and headscraves decorated with appliqué and mirror work.

This beautiful bag is made of colorful red and indigo handloomed cotton cloth with fine and intricate white cotton cloth applique work and embroidered embellishments. This bag has great color, interesting abstract snowflake-like designs that make a terrific impact

Rajasthan has an appliqué or gota work. Shekhawati is an important center for this technique.

So applique work is done in most part of India.

 Rajasthani applique work on a pillow case

 I love to do applique work because I can mix and match 2 kinds of fabrics.Though it is the traditional art of India,nowadays you can see using applique work in western countries too.Quilting is similar to applique and it is exclusively used in most of the western countries.

These applique work can be used on womens apparel,Indian saris,Mens apparel (Indian traditional shewani's or kurtas),even in home decor as I have shown in my earlier post(Pillow covers),ladies hand bags,lampshades, table mats & many more.


Here are some of the Indian saris with applique work.




     These are the best work of my mom & my top listed saris on applique.

This is the applique work made with "Lace".lace is made into the shape of flower
& then it is sewn on a sari.sequences are also used here to enhance the look of a design.

 

Apllique work made with net fabric.Net fabrics are cut in the shape of a flower
and is stitched on a sari with embroidery machine.

                                          Here are some more saris on applique...

 Body and pallu is spangled with printed black and white stripes highlighted by ornate floral stone studded appliques worked with sequins and resham.

Men's Kurta with applique work

Collar is heavily embroidered using sequins, stone work,zardosi, zari , beads and resham. Look is furthe enhanced with decorative appliques richly embellished with sequins, stone work,zardosi, zari, beads and resham.

Over coat with Applique work

red crepe silk front split overcoat features applique work to create arrow, Embellishments made with resham and applique. 

Fusible applique

      Fusible appliqué is so easy that anyone who’s done it once rarely needs to look at 

directions again.  However, if you haven’t tried it yet, here’s the basic idea: 

      A tissue-like web of heat sensitive glue, backed with paper, is ironed to a piece of fabric.  

Then the paper is peeled off, leaving the glue on the fabric, and the piece of fabric can be 

ironed to another piece of fabric.  To make the appliqué permanent on fabric the edges 

must be sewn down, usually with a zigzag satin stitch; otherwise washings will 

eventually cause it to peel off.

 Fusible appliques are one of the best and easy way of doing an art & time saving too.

These fusible appliques are mostly on kids wear.

here are few kids apparel with fusible applique.

Appliqué has moved from labor intensive hand work to a quick flick of the iron and the pieces are fused together.

Read more at Suite101: Tips and Techniques of Fusible Applique: Fast, Easy Fabric Art with Beautiful Results http://www.suite101.com/content/tips-and-techniques-of-fusible-applique-a159779#ixzz1BhMDthRb

Here are some books regarding applique work.

                                       
                   






















Recent articles regarding Applique work.


   Though the Applique work is the traditional art of India,in recent years it has reached its peak.Now it is more popular in western countries too.Below are some of the recent articles regarding applique work & its popularity.
    

 A group of craftsmen in Orissa claimed  to have set a new record by creating a rare traditional appliqué work. At least 80 craftsmen, including 50 women have created the work at Pipili, a village in Puri district, India. They took over two months to complete the work.

The applique was built at a cost of RS.350,000. Built like an umbrella, it measures 140 ft x 70 ft.

Umbrellas with applique work

Here is a video clip regarding how applique work is done in Pipli,Orissa.

                               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4qH7AJT34c

Applique work of Pipli in Orissa drawing foreigners to Puri

    Coming from all corners of the world, these tourists find appliqué art entrancing, as it can also be used for various ornamental purposes back at home. Most of them are eager to buy these attractive pieces of appliqué thus leading to increase in its demand.

"It can be used for decorative items for the home decoration. It can also be used for the decoration of deities. Since the past two to three years, people have been using it as a decorative item in marriage ceremonies. Moreover, foreign tourists ask for these in particular. Its demand has increased over a period of time to manifolds,"

Read more: http://www.andhranews.net/India/2007/October/6-Applique-work-18134.asp#ixzz1BiGqTzjZ

Designer Anvita Jain wrote article recently in 2010.

Skip the high profile fashion magazines and simply look at the world around you. For trendy inspirations, nothing comes closer than the small and perhaps inconsequential things in life.

Simply keep your eyes wide open while walking down an Indian street and there will be inspirations galore.

The streets of India are a world of its own, certainly a source of creativity for me and my label, ‘Pappu ka Taka’, the name came impromptu, and belongs to the skilled worker who did the first stitch for my maiden collection. Heavy embroideries may have taken a back seat this season, but appliqué work is certainly making its presence felt. I have used cow appliqués on trendy bags (Delhi has lots of cows strolling on the streets without a care for the world).

Birds are not far behind, an owl motif on a top and appliquéed skirt with flowers motifs work just well on a rainy day. Don’t be too serious when it comes to dressing up, take it as a light hearted yet innovative exercise.

   In this post I tried to write some of the information on applique work which may help you.Will try to collect some more information regarding this.

My next Project is on Kids wear,working on it.Will come soon....