Ali's Journal

 Rillis Rillis are mostly made of old clothes, which are dyed in mostly black, orange, green, red, and purple colors. These scraps of cotton fabrics are, than later cut into different shapes and pieces. Three to four women sit together talking, singing and laughing while starting to sew each corner of the rilli. It takes a lot of time to make a rilli, because three to four layers are sewn together, so it can keep them warm at night. Rillis made for weddings or gift usually have embroidery, mirrors and embellishments on them. Women bond and share stories while working together and that’s why it’s such an important part of our culture. Their work symbolizes their life and creativity. 

 Patchwork Patchwork has been around for thousands of years, dating back to the 3500 BC. It can be described as layering of different fabric pieces cut and sown together. Patchwork is an integral part of many cultures around the globe. People from Sindh, Mexico, Europe, America and Africa have been making patchwork quilts for hundreds of year. People have been known to cut fabrics in repeated patterns and sewing them together to make blankets, sheets, and sometimes even clothes. Over the years different types and techniques of patchwork have been developed. Patchwork itself is an art and a skill that needs years of experience of training. Artists have been using these techniques to record historical & biblical events through patchwork. Originally men were the ones who made textile fabrics and them patchwork designs in Africa, but the tradition was later passed to women who were slaves in America and European women. During the depression era women made different types of quilt...