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FASHION DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY - CITS

9 Seminole patchwork
This involves joining fabric pieces and cutting them and then re-joining them in different sequences. They are then
cut at an angle to form patterned designs. Mark at an angle and cut and you will get an angled band which can
be used in many ways – especially as borders for blankets, quilts etc.

Applique Work

At the end of this lesson, you shall be able to
• introduction and types of applique work
• list of tools & raw materials used in appliqué work
• procedure of applique work

Introduction
Appliqué is an ornamental needlework where a piece of fabric of different shapes is stuck or sewn onto a larger
piece of fabric. The term “appliqué” originates from the Latin word “applico” which means “apply” and the French
word “appliqué” which means “attach”. Appliqué is one of the oldest and finest decorative methods practiced in
the world. Appliqué is similar to traditional embroidery, which also involves the use of a needle and thread to add
decorative elements to the fabric. But appliqué is different from traditional embroidery or this can be considered
as a special type of embroidery because it uses small pieces of fabric to create a design, whereas traditional
embroidery uses thread or yarn to create a design.
Hstory of applique
In the beginning, the method was used as a way to strengthen worn parts and holes of garments and other items.
Archeologists have found ancient examples of appliqués in Egypt, Siberia, Mongolia.
Today, appliqué is used all over the world as a way to embellish garments, decorative items for homes, bags,
quilts, blankets. Appliquéd cloth is a part of the tradition in different places like Benin, West Africa; Scandinavia,
Russia and Eastern Europe; India, Pakistan.
In India we can see that the appliqués designs are quite popular in Ahmadabad, Saurashtra, Banaskantha, Patan
and Kutch of Gujarat; Pipli and Puri of Odisha, different cities of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madurai of Tamil Nadu
etc. Today, Pipli, Odisha is popular worldwide to be the center for many artisans and workshops that still practice
making traditional appliqué items. Appliqué shamiana or tents of Aligarh, Daraz appliqué of Lucknow, Tharu
appliqué of UP, Uttarakhand and Bihar, Khatwa appliqué of Bihar, Katab appliqué of Bhuj are also worldwide
popular.
Types of applique work
1 Shamiana appliqué

Shamiana appliqué is a traditional art form that originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern
region of India and Pakistan. The word “shamiana” is derived from the Persian word “shamshir”, which means
“tent”. The technique is traditionally used to decorate tents and other forms of temporary structures, such as
canopies, used for festivals and ceremonies. The origins of shamiana appliqué can be traced back to the Mughal
Empire, which ruled over much of the Indian subcontinentfrom the 16th to the 18th century. During this time, the
Mughals brought a great deal of artistic and architectural influence to the region, and many of the techniques and
styles used in shamiana appliqué today can be traced back to this period. The traditional technique of shamiana
appliqué involves cutting out pieces of fabric and sewing them onto a background fabric to create a design.
The fabrics used can vary, but they are often lightweight and brightly colored, such as silk, chiffon, and cotton.
The designs are typically very detailed and can include a wide range of different elements, including geometric
patterns, floral designs, and religious symbols.

2 Tharu Appliqué of Terai Region in India and Nepal
Tharu appliqué is a traditional art form that has been passed down through generations of the Tharu people
in Nepal and India. The Tharu are an indigenous group who have lived in the Terai region of Nepal and Uttar
Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar region of India, for centuries. They have a rich cultural heritage that is reflected
in their art and crafts, and appliqué is one of their most well-known forms of expression. Appliqué is a technique

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CITS : Apparel - Fashion Design & Technology - Lesson 4 CITS : Apparel - Fashion Design & Technology - Lesson 4