Textile Art: Drawing with Thread & Fabric
I use fabric and thread as my medium, drawing with a needle to create stories you can touch. Whether it is transforming an old stole with kantha stitches or creating a unique wall piece, my work is all about the texture of memories.
This video shows the journey of my thread and fabric artwork, from stitching it live at a workshop to proudly displaying the finished piece at the Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Museum.
A piece of textile art titled 'As nature intended'. I used fabric appliqué and embroidery to create this scene of a beetle on a leaf, a reminder to eat insecticide-free vegetables.
I revamped this plain stole by adding a simple 'kantha' or running stitch to the metallic borders. This simple act of stitching with colorful thread brought a new softness and an Indian touch to the piece.
A beautiful example of traditional Kutch embroidery. The intricate, colorful threadwork and geometric patterns on this handloom textile are a deep source of inspiration for my own fabric art.
Here I am at the Kiran Nadar Museum, working on a piece for a 'Drawing with Thread' workshop. The process involves translating a sketch into a stitched artwork using fabric and thread.
More glimpses from the 'Drawing with Thread' workshop. You can see my initial pencil sketches and how they are transformed into simple, expressive embroideries on a hoop.
This shows my creative process during a workshop, from blind contour drawings with my non-dominant hand to a thread sketch of the museum's security guard, all done with needle and thread.
About Textile Art: Drawing with Thread & Fabric
I treat my needle like a pencil. If you look closely, you will not see heavy, traditional embroidery. Instead, you will see thread sketching, where I follow the flow of a line using simple running stitches to bring fabric to life, much like I teach during my museum workshops or when refreshing a vintage stole.
When I sit down to work on a textile piece, I am not just stitching. I am sketching. My approach to drawing with thread is about spontaneity. I often use simple running stitches, like the traditional Kantha work, to define shapes on fabric. It is a slow, meditative process.
My studio in Noida is where I experiment with these techniques, turning plain fabric scraps or vintage garments into narrative art. Do you have an old stole with metallic borders that feel too stiff? I often soften them by adding colourful thread work. Are you looking to preserve a memory? I can turn your old sarees or fabric scraps into textured story art.
I also love facilitating workshops, including sessions at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art. Whether I am teaching thread sketching or working on a custom commission, my goal is to show how needlework can be expressive and fluid, not just rigid patterns. If you have a piece of clothing or a vision for a textile project, let us talk about how we can make it a reality together.
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