Sewing together pieces of fabric

Patchwork has been extensively experimented on, by designers from all over the world, to produce exquisite bags, wall-hangings, cushion covers, skirts, waistcoats, jackets, even  saris and kurtis.

One such name of a designer, who has worked expansively with patchwork in Bangladesh and incorporated it effortlessly into eastern fashion wear, is Chondona R Dewan; her works are exquisite and uncompromisingly magnificent.

Dewan often combines embroidery with patchwork. She includes the jerry-rigged designs into the bottom of the saris, where as the base is kept neutral coloured, on which the patchworks add a vibrant, comfy and trendy look.

"I love patchwork; it converts any boring, unswerving design into a delicate work of art. Say, if you wore a plain sleeveless kameez with dupatta, there would be no 'joie-de-vivre'. But if you took the same kameez and topped it with a long patchwork jacket, it would immediate transform your look into a masterpiece. It's that easy", said the expert designer.

Browsing through all the designs we found that patchwork looks utterly adorable on long skirts and if we could pair it with a plain coloured top or kurti it gives out an aura of ethnicity and sophistication.

But is patchwork meant only for the ladies? Of course not, the beautiful piece of artwork can be slickly incorporated into menswear. Recent trend for men's punjabi includes Nehru collared jackets and pocket squares. These jackets can be covered with patchwork to radicalise the entire look. Sometimes the inner sides of vests and jackets incorporate patchwork to give out a pulsating impression.

So there goes, saris, skirts, jackets and the lot. What about accessories and other items?

The best place where patchworks look best besides clothing's are in household items like table covers, table skirts, runners and wall hangings; Chondona R Dewan's retail store welcomes guests with an incredible display of patchwork wall drapery.

To get a little into the details of the vibrant work of art, we learned there were many ways to do patchwork namely.

The Block Method

In this method patchwork blocks are pieced squares made up of coloured shapes that repeat to create a pattern. They blocks are later sewn together in stacked rows to make a larger composition.

The Overall Method

Overall patchwork designs are incrementally pieced geometric shapes stitched together to form a composed design.

The Crazy Quilting method

A unique form of patchwork quilt used to be the crazy quilt, made up of random shapes of luxurious fabric such as velvets, silks, brocades, buttons, lace, and other embellishments left over from the gowns women had made for themselves. The patchwork pieces are stitched together forming "crazy" or non-repetitive, asymmetric compositions.

So much has been said about patchwork that it has become almost implicit; you must have grown a certain kind of fondness for the work of art. It is time to indulge now.

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Model: Srabosty

Wardrobe and Jewellery: Chondon

Make-up: Farza Shakil's Makeover Salon