One of my treasures
After reading Sujata's mention of Jaisalmer on her blog I was inspired to share one of my favourite possessions. A Rajastani mirrorwork bedspread that I bought in Jaisalmer in India about 12 years ago.
My mother had a yellow mirrorwork shoulder bag that fascinated me when I was a little Rachaeldaisy in the 70's so when I was travelling through India I was on the lookout for something similar. I ended up with a bedspread of 80 x 90 inches. With all the mirrors, dense embroidery and thick backing fabric it was very heavy to carry on my journey but it was worth it.
Fast forward to the future and a time of living in an apartment with no room to be hung, it had to be packed away. In the meantime I became a quilter so when I got it out again in our home I saw it afresh with quilters eyes.
All that patchwork of fabulous shapes hand stitching, crazy shapes, fabulous colours, ideas for applique.
It comprises of lots of pieces all stitched together onto a backing with this thin rope stitched over the edges.
Nice big chunky stitching on the back.
The pieces are from old textiles. Some bits are worn away, some mirrors are missing and in some places the dye has run, but that just adds to its character.
It certainly brightens up the room where it now hangs and reminds me of the beautiful place it is from.
My mother had a yellow mirrorwork shoulder bag that fascinated me when I was a little Rachaeldaisy in the 70's so when I was travelling through India I was on the lookout for something similar. I ended up with a bedspread of 80 x 90 inches. With all the mirrors, dense embroidery and thick backing fabric it was very heavy to carry on my journey but it was worth it.
Fast forward to the future and a time of living in an apartment with no room to be hung, it had to be packed away. In the meantime I became a quilter so when I got it out again in our home I saw it afresh with quilters eyes.
All that patchwork of fabulous shapes hand stitching, crazy shapes, fabulous colours, ideas for applique.
It comprises of lots of pieces all stitched together onto a backing with this thin rope stitched over the edges.
Nice big chunky stitching on the back.
The pieces are from old textiles. Some bits are worn away, some mirrors are missing and in some places the dye has run, but that just adds to its character.
It certainly brightens up the room where it now hangs and reminds me of the beautiful place it is from.
23 Comments
What a lovely textile memory of a journey you enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteSomwhere in a trunk I have a dress with a few mirrors on it nothing as stunning as your bedspread.
this is just so beautiful, I love the colors but really love all the stitching on it.
ReplyDeleteI have always been intrigued with many textiles from India and the fabrics they use for their clothing..
I can't wait to see what Sujata comes home with and the quilt she makes as a remembrance of her trip.
Kathie
That is stunning. A very special keepsake.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure !
ReplyDeleteVery cool, one of those things I would never tire of looking at.
ReplyDeleteI colori e i motivi sono magici!!!!
ReplyDeleteCiao
Wow!!! What an inspiring piece to have hanging in your home--a true treasure.
ReplyDeleteRachael!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's gorgeous! I know how heavy it must be. I am amazed that you carried that around while in India. But oh so worth it. About 12 years back I had bought a bed spread from India during one my visits, I still love it. So much work goes into making these bed spreads. I am glad you showed it here. Thank you!
OH. MY. GOSH. ! ! ! I am insanely jealous. ;D My mother had a couple mirror-work bags from India that she got when we lived in Iran in the 70's. I remember them well and loved them. I can't imagine how awesome it would be to have an entire bedspread like this. The weight must be incredibly comforting. Awesome job here, snagging this! :D
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you for showing this. What an endless source of great quilt ideas. Weren't you a smart girl to buy it and bring it home! It's not surprising that you've always had exquisite taste!
ReplyDeleteI can absolutely see why you bought it! Gorgeous! Great source of inspiration.:)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have a smaller pink one that is pretty too. I have it hanging in my dressing room and it makes me happy every day!
Thank you for showing this amazing quilt to us all. It is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning piece Rachael...and just perfect for you with all those beautiful colours!
ReplyDeleteoh my word that is a mishmash of lovely!!!! I love the chunky stitching!! You would look at that every day and see something new!
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely beautiful piece of work! An item to be cherished forever.
ReplyDeleteJust think - in this modern day and age we expect everything to be so perfect when we sew it - and yet it is those things that are not perfect that we love so very very much!
Food for thought for todays quilters??
Oh it's gorgeous, love it!
ReplyDeleteWow...that is just wonderful!! When I was young, I was a flight attendant for Pan Am flying thru India many times. Even then I was so into fabric. I have a number of smaller pieces. Besides the beauty what intrigues me is the happenstance of it all...and like you said..parts just left undone. We should pay some heed to this as we strive to shed some of our perfectionism in our quilting. Beauty is not perfect. Your piece makes my heart sing!! Thx for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is a beautiful bedspread - it reminds me of a crazy quilt! Thank you for the trip down memory lane....as a teen-ager in the 70's, this is a reminder of all the mirrored, colorful items we added in our wardrobe. So vibrant and fun!
ReplyDeleteThat is stunning, what wonderful details and patterns it has crammed into it. So beautiful. x
ReplyDeleteIt's so pretty Rachael! I'm glad you were able to take it out of storage and hang it in your home. The details are amazing. I could stare at it for hours! days even :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness...what a feast for the eyes. I'd spend all day staring at it and Im sure I'd see new things every time. It's truly gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteoh that is absolutely awesome! :) It makes me happy to look at it!
ReplyDeletexoxo melzie
Thank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.