🪡 Kawandi: The Art of Slow Stitching with Sujata Shah

A five-day retreat celebrating hand-stitching, heritage, and improvisational design

Discover the meditative beauty of Kawandi, a traditional hand-stitching technique from India’s Siddi community. Guided by acclaimed textile artist Sujata Shah, you’ll learn to create layered quilts made entirely by hand — one patch, one thread, one story at a time.

Working intuitively, you’ll begin at the outside edge and stitch inward, adding fabric scraps in rhythmic succession. This process yields textiles rich with personal meaning and vibrant visual rhythm — a dance of texture, memory, and improvisation.

Over five days, Sujata will share not only technical skills but also the philosophy and cultural roots of Kawandi, connecting heritage craft to contemporary expression. You’ll leave with a finished small quilt and a deeper appreciation for slow process, patience, and mindfulness in making.

Retreat Flow

Day 1 – Introduction & Foundations
• Learn about the origins and cultural history of Kawandi
• Explore materials, thread selection, and layout principles

Days 2–4 – Stitching & Improvisation
• Layering and securing cloth from the outside in
• Developing rhythm, color balance, and personal design choices
• Managing tension, thread changes, and finishing techniques

Day 5 – Completion & Reflection
• Final stitching and edge finishing
• Group reflection on process, design, and storytelling in stitch

Studio Environment
Create in Aya’s spacious, light-filled coastal studio in Stuart, Florida — an ideal space for focus and connection. Each participant enjoys ample workspace (no more than two per 4′×8′ table), power and USB access, and a supportive, calm atmosphere.

Enjoy morning coffee, tea, and pastries, personalized lunch pickups, and an optional group dinner midweek at a favorite local waterfront restaurant.

Details
Instructor: Sujata Shah
Dates: May 11–15, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuition: $1,100
Skill Level: All Levels (no sewing machine required)
Materials Fee: Additional (details provided upon registration)
Class Size: Limited to 10 participants

Immerse yourself in the rhythm of handwork — where thread, color, and heart come together to tell a story in cloth.

Technique: Hand stitching

Skill Level: Beginning quilter

Supplies

Neutral color thread for basting

Fabric scissors

Thimble

Needle grabber (optional)

Embroidery needles Bohin #7 OR of your choice

Wonderfil Specialty Thread - Spaghetti - Weight 12 Color: White or Ecru

One 30” x 30" piece of lightweight fabric for backing

29” X 29” square, thin batting - Quilter's Dream (request) Or loosely woven fabric

Assorted scraps,measuring to the size of your hand and strips measuring 2” to 4” wide. More random the scraps are, the better the outcome will be.

Fabric Suggestion

To make the process interesting and engaging, please include random scraps of many different sizes, colors, and textures in your scraps bag. Lightweight fabrics will make it easier to stitch through multiple layers of fabrics. Add some shot cottons, plaid, prints and stripes to the mix. Make sure to add a scrap from a personal clothing item. Do not use batiks or heavy weight fabrics for this project.

Sujata Shah

Author of Cultural Fusion Quilts

Email: sujatashah450@gmail.com

Blog: http://therootconnection.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootconnection/#

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRootConnection

Kawandi - Sujata Shah