A visit to the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles with some of my quilter friends was a treat, as there were several exhibitions on (plus the company was superb). Today we will cover one of the exhibitions, Kawandi Adventure: Quilts by Margaret Fabrizio.
Fabrizio was inspired by a 2011 exhibition of Kawandi at the Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco. Kawandi is a hand sewing technique used by the Siddi women of Karnataka, India. She was intrigued enough to travel to India and spend two weeks with some Siddi women learning about their technique. They appeal to me because of my love for textiles, but as quilts, I love the improvisational aspect.
After this we will cover the A Common Thread exhibit, which I think was quite extraordinary and well curated. Though before that a little blogcation is in order…Hope you are enjoying your summer and enjoy the Kawandi Adventure!
Madder Plaids by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014.
Madder Plaids by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014.
Plaids Gone Mad by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014.
Plaids Gone Mad by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014.
Stripes by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014.
Stripes by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014.
Tiger by Margaret Fabrizio, 2012.
Tiger by Margaret Fabrizio, 2012.
Very Red by Margaret Fabrizio, 2013
Very Red by Margaret Fabrizio, 2013
Blue Bicycle by Margaret Fabrizio, 2012
Blue Bicycle by Margaret Fabrizio, 2012
Blew the Blues by Margaret Fabrizio, 2013
Blew the Blues by Margaret Fabrizio, 2013
Four Roses by Margaret Fabrizio, 2012
Four Roses by Margaret Fabrizio, 2012
To Be or Not To Be by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014
To Be or Not To Be by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014
Could Be 2 by Margaret Fabrizio, 2015
Could Be 2 by Margaret Fabrizio, 2015
The Plaid Portico 
I so admire you and your extraordinary gift of the philosophy of creating with fabric. How lucky you are to have visited the Siddi and have experienced such an epiphany. Bless you and thank you so much for being such a light in the world.
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Thank you for sharing Margaret’s work! Very original and fantastic.
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Oh how I would have loved to see these quilts in person. They are so imaginative and right up my alley. Thanks for sharing the tour.
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Thanks for posting this. I am on this great adventure, and it is coverage like this which makes it possible.
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Wonderful quiklts Margaret!
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I hope I can get down to SJ and see them in person–especially the plaids and stripes.
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There is also a great show with quilts by Joe Cunningham and Ben Venom that just hung, Found/Made, up until November 8!
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We saw the Kawandi show at MOAD Back In The Day. The whole story, of the technique, the communal practice of doing it, and the Siddi people themselves is fascinating. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddis_of_Karnataka
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFuFehKak9t_ZuGPTwxwauwyyglG5RCgC Ms Fabreezi’s YouTube channel
http://www.henrydrewal.com/exhibit_stitching_history.html The curator/promoter of the show that toured MOAD in 2011.
http://www.dominikphoto.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=56&g2_page=2 Another project documenting Kawandi quilting.
The indispensable Henry Drewal again, with a little bit of description on this technique, which I’ll describe, with ruthless, cultural insensitive concision, as Scrappy Big Stitch Applique Without Batting http://handeyemagazine.com/content/stitching-history
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Thanks Ryan!
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Thanks for sharing. I suspect seeing them in person is a thrill.
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These are so exciting! I am so happy to have been led to your blog.
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These are lovely, really fine. Thanks for sharing them.
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