The kings of western India always lived a luxurious life be it even in a forest which spoke loudly about their fine craftsmanship and exclusivity. While in the jungle, the camps would be made using the technique Katab which is now popularly known as applique work. The beauty of this art lies in the fabrication style, composition and color usage. The origin of this art is said to be in the native communities of north-Gujarat. This art is accompanied by various stitches which add value by increasing its richness. The women of tailors took this art to a new level by using the leftovers of tailor shop to make quilts, decorative items, and various other pieces using applique. These women later got an order from Gujarat State after which they never looked back the days of poverty.
It got so popular that on the one hand they then trained lower income group women to be able to earn something extra for the family and on the other worked with top designers of the country. The base material is Muslin which is bought from Ahmedabad and the craft involves cutting fine animal, floral and geometric patterns in the fabric which are then sewn together. These cuttings are either cut on the thinner fabric individually or stacked together to starch and iron in order to make them crisp. After all this, these cuttings are joined to either make bedsheets, curtains, table mats or other such things. Some people combine the applique work with mirror embedded in them to give it an amazing look.
These people have been carrying on this art since almost 50 years which has brought income and fame to many women in the rural areas and we are sure that it will still go a long way.
