Kawandi is a style of quilt created by the Siddi people of India, traditionally done by hand. It is truly scrappy and improvisational. While I like doing hand work, I was also intrigued by faster machine methods. I've listed some resources at the end of this tutorial if you are interested in creating Kawandi by hand, want to see another machine tutorial, want to see some footage of Siddi creating Kawandi by hand, and a discussion of creating Kawandi in your own style.
This tutorial describes a new way of creating Kawandi by machine. These are NOT traditional Kawandi, but inspired by the joy and movement of Kawandi-style.
I started with a background piece of fabric approximately 8x10", a piece of batting of the same size, and many scraps of batiks or quilting cottons.
1) Place the background over the batting, right side up (this is a quilt as you go technique, so the batting is incorporated from the beginning. 2) Place 4 scraps in the corners, right side DOWN - NOTE I'm using batiks in these examples, so its hard to tell that these pieces are upside down. In this image, you are looking at what will be the WRONG side of those scrap corners. 3) Begin UNDERLAPPING adjoining scraps into the corners. Fold approximately 1/4 inch on the side that will go UNDER the corner. Again, the scraps are placed upside down.
Pin the piece in place along the edge. This will be machine sewn. 4) When you get to the next corner, fold the 1/4 inch on both sides of the scrap because it will go under 2 pieces of fabric. 5) Continue folding and underlapping scraps, pinning along the outer edge until you get the entire edge filled.
Notice that it doesn't matter if you use short scraps, or long scraps. And again, its impossible to tell from this image because I'm using batiks, but you are looking at the right side of the background, and the WRONG side of the colorful scraps.
6) Sew 1/4 in seam all the way around the edge, removing pins as you come to them. 7) Clip the 4 corners close to the seam, being careful not to cut the thread. 8) Turn right side out by flipping each scrap over the seam. Use a tool to poke out or pull out the corners.
There should be no raw edges of fabric along the edge of the piece because they are either in the seam OR they are folded under. 9) Carefully press the outer edge - taking care not to press the batting, as it might melt depending on fiber content.
10) The result is a piece with finished edges like this:
11) Top stitch close to the edge, This will secure all the folded under edges of each scrap.
12) When you are on the 4th side, approaching the beginning of your stitch line, turn the corner about 1/4" or 3/8" before you get there, to start the 'spiral' of stitching.
The next steps are done just like Kawandi by hand, but you continue sewing on the machine.
13) To place the next piece, fold under 2 edges. Finger press or iron as necessary.
Overlap the unfinished edges of previous scraps.
14) to place a color into a long strip, fold under 3 edges, staying aware of where you will place another scrap to overlap.
15) To keep a small scrap straight as you sew over the edge, it may be necessary to use long tweezers or stiletto.
16) Continue placing scraps and sewing in concentric rectangles, into the center.
Note: this picture is from another project than the ones above.
17) Prepare the final scrap by folding under all 4 sides, and sewing the ever smaller rectangles/squares of stitching.
18) For the piece made of batiks, I decided the center "squares" looked better on the diagonal.
Although not traditional at all, I've already broken so many 'rules', that I just decided to make this mine.
Also, I'm aware that traditional Kawandi have 'folded flowers' in the 4 corners. Include them if you wish.
Make it yours!
Paula
RESOURCES:
How to make a Kawandi by hand by Kieren Dutcher
How to make a Kawandi by machine (with binding) by Mel Beach
Margaret Fabrizio travels to India to learn Kawandi from Siddi quilters:
