Day 1, Lecture:

My Journey as a Quilter:   

While raised in India, rich colors, hand-woven textiles, and hand-crafts were part of Sujata's daily life.  She learned to appreciate the irregularities and imperfections of handmade crafts.  Her instinctive ability to work with colors and textures combined with an education in graphic design has helped her develop a unique style as a quilt designer.

Inspired by the utilitarian quilts and handmade crafts from around the world, she has developed an abstract form of traditional quilt blocks and subsequently published the book, Cultural Fusion Quilts.

This presentation includes a slide show of her travels in India as well as her journey as a quilter. The slide show is followed by a trunk show of original quilts.  She will share how she connects the dots between memories of the past and today's creative process.

Day 2, Lecture:

The Journey Continues - Stories in Stitches:

Through 30 years of quilting Sujata has realized that the art of stitching, the very thing she disliked growing up, has become her favorite way to write personal stories onto quilts.

In this presentation Sujata will share her latest quilts in a slide show and the stories behind each quilt.

Day 2, Demo:

Kawandi Quilt:

A Kawandi is a utility quilt made by African Diaspora/Siddi community of India.  A spool of thread and a needle,  a few scraps and mindful stitching combined with a simple technique are the only elements needed for this age-old art of quilting.  

Sujata will demonstrate the process and unique way to make a small quilt.  Through the experience of true improvisational process, you will discover how to harmonize your mind and body with the rhythm of stitching.  Explore different ways of personalizing a quilt, to breathe easy, and write your own stories in stitches.

Sujata Shah is an award-winning quilter, designer and the author of Cultural Fusion Quilts.  She finds inspiration in the rich handmade tradition of her home country, India, quilts of Gee's Bend, Indian and American utilitarian quilts, and African textiles.

This special lecture is courtesy of the April Zemke Memorial Fund.

Admission is free for BPQ members,  Non-members pay $5 which includes 10.2% sales tax.