The Art of Embroidery

 The Joker

Embroidery is an ancient art of decorating cloths. We can make any design or pattern with the help of threads, needles.  We need a wooden frame make mark the place where want to make the embroidery patter. This wooden frame is a tightening device. 

Personally, I have never referred to any videos or tutorial online to learn this art. I have learnt embroidery from my mother. According to my mother there is no hard and fast rule to make a embroidery design. First we have to draw the design outlines with the help of carbon paper. So, that the outlines can be removed easily after completing the design. 

Although, the formal embroidery courses have mentioned many designs and patterns. Such as , "Chaim silai"  , "Moni silai", " Pat bhorti silai" etc. Chain silai is the most basic pattern in embroidery. These specific patterns creates different designs.  

For this design I got inspired from the movie ' The Dark Knight'. In that movie there was a character called 'The Joker'. I tried to create his face with the help of embroidery. For this design I use the ' Pat bhorti silai'. Where we have to just fill the space between the outlines with threads. We can choose different colors for different places of the design , to enhance the looks of the design. The excess threads should be knot in the bottom of the cloth. The stiches in the front should be very neat. 

With a little patience and effort we can all acquire this century old craft. Embroidery for me is very relaxing. I love to create simple designs in my spare time. It helps me to grow my patience level, it reduce my stress and also it makes me feel happy to see my imagination forming a beautiful shape.

Traditional Assamese Attire

 হাতে বোৱা চাদৰ মেখেলা

                            

Hand-woven Sador-Mekhela is an essential and cherished attire for the women of Assam. It is traditionally worn by women of all ages, except for young children. The Sador-Mekhela consists of two pieces of cloth: the sador, which is draped from the waist downward and folded into pleats before being tucked in, and the mekhela, the piece that forms the bottom portion of the attire. These are paired with a matching blouse. Assamese women commonly wear Sador-Mekhela during traditional occasions, making it a significant part of their cultural identity.

The process of weaving a Sador-Mekhela and creating intricate designs on it is a time-intensive and complex craft. It requires patience and expertise. The preparation begins by arranging threads on a rolling pin and setting them up on a traditional handloom, a process that involves several components such as the Maku, Sereki, Ras, Bobin, Xola, and Sokori, among others. These tools help in organizing and spreading the threads in a way that allows the weaver to easily weave from one side. Once the threads are arranged, the weaver uses their creativity to design and incorporate various patterns into the fabric.

Growing up, I often watched my mother weaving Sador-Mekhela, and her skill and dedication always fascinated me. I was captivated by the way she skillfully used the handloom to create beautiful, intricate fabrics. Every Bihu, she would gift hand-woven clothes to our family members, and I could see the pride and joy on her face as she presented her creations. She consistently encouraged me to get involved in this traditional craft, and her passion inspired me to learn the art of weaving.

Over time, with practice and determination, I gradually developed the skills necessary to weave a complete Sador-Mekhela. After years of effort, I successfully created a set of Sador-Mekhela and gifted it to my mother. Her happiness and pride upon receiving it were immeasurable, and that moment continues to motivate me to perfect this traditional craft and preserve our cultural heritage.

Crochet Drawstring Bag

 Drawstring Bag

To crochet the drawstring bag, first we need to make the base with a magic ring. In that magic ring first we have to half double crochet 10 stiches. After that we have to join the magic circle with a slip stich and complete the circle. Then we have to chain one stich to begin the second round.

In the second round we have to stich two half double crochet in every stich going all the way around. We have to have total of 20 stiches. One very important thing to remember that we will always have to start the next round after the slip stich. 

In the 3rd round we have make a little change. In this round first we have to stich two half double crochet in one stich and then one half double crochet in the next stich. We have to repeat this process until we meet the end. In the end we must have total of 30 stiches. Then to start the 4th round have to slip stich one chain.

In the fourth round we have to increase the round. For that first, we have to crochet two half double crochet  stich in same and one one double crochet in the next two stiches, Which will give us a total of 40 stiches.

In the fifth round we have again increase the stich and this first we have to crochet two half double crochet in the same stich and one one double crochet in the next three stiches. And like that we have to go all the way around and in the end we will be having total of 50 stiches. 

In the next round , we have to increase by 4 double crochet stich in one one stich and after that two half double crochet in the same stich. This time we will be having total of  60 stiches and this will be the last round of increasing.

For the wall of the bag we make star stich. For crocheting the stat stich first we have to chain two then we have to insert the crochet hook into the first chain then pull up a loop and then we have to go the second chain and again pull up a loop. After that we have to again go to the next three stiches and pull one loop from each stich. Then we have to yarn over and pull all the way through to the first stich. After that we have to chain one.  This chain one will give us a little hole and we have to insert our hook into that hole and pull up a loop. Next we will go again to the previous stich and pull up a loop. Now have got three loops. To add another two loops of the 5 loops that is needed to make a start stich, we will go for the next two stiches. Reaping this pattern will give us a star shape stich. In the end of the round we must have two stiches left which be make our last start stich of the round. After that we  will have to join the round with a slip stich.  

For the next step we have to Half double crochet two time times and then pull up loops from the eye of the start. If we follow this pattern we will be having the sides of the bags.

In my sample I have 9 round of stars. That would be 18 lines. After that we have to crochet  the round where we will put the drawstring. 

We have half double crochet in each stich, which will make space for the drawstring. After that we have again stich two rounds of star stich and  the main body of the bag will be complete.

For the string we can use either any thread or we can also make a string by crocheting with half double crochet.

After attaching the string the to the bag, we can use this handy drawstring bags for various purposes.