Kaudi (Quilt) Craft
Other Textiles Based Craft
History
The patchwork quilting tradition in northern Karnataka, known as Kaudi (also spelled kowdhi, koudi, and kowdi), involves women creating quilts for household use. This practice utilizes old fabric, often combining both printed and plain materials. The arrangement of the patchwork and other design choices are solely determined by the artisan. These quilts are occasionally presented as gifts to brides from their mothers on their wedding day.
Raw Materials and Tools
RAW MATERIALS:
- Old clothing
- Waste fabric from tailors
- Polyester batting
- Cotton sheet
- Single thread
TOOLS:
- Pencil
- Wooden frames
- Needle
- Scissors
Process
Kaudi quilts are crafted by repurposing old clothing and tailor-discarded fabric. The fabric is washed repeatedly for softness, then cut into geometric shapes drawn with a pencil and wooden frames. These pieces are stitched together using a running stitch to form the top layer. The quilt consists of three layers: a patchwork top, a polyester batting middle, and a cotton bottom. Layers are secured with stitches, and edges are finished by hemming or attaching fabric strips.
Design and Color
Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, is known for traditional block printing, featuring motifs like butis, paisleys, and the famed ‘Tree of Life.’ This intricate design appears in about fifteen variations, often printed with large wooden blocks. The region produces bed covers, curtains, quilt covers, wall hangings, and yardage materials.
Product Range
Baby quilts (makkala kaudi), ceremonial quilts (maduvi kaudi), mat or sitting quilts (haasu kaudi) and bedcover quilts (hochu kaudi).