Creative Needlework BYOF (Bring Your Own Fabric) Workshop with Paaras Abbas

Join Ahista Stories and Paaras Abbas for an afternoon of creative needlework, where you will use a combination of colourful cotton thread and fabric scraps to create unique patterns and breathe new life into clothes or linen you already own. You’ll learn the basics of sewing, how to do a running stitch for Bengali kantha embroidery and Sindhi “rilli”-style applique, and compose a design using either one or a combination of both techniques. No prior sewing experience is required.

This is the third and final event in a series of three BYOF (Bring Your Own Fabric) Workshops that celebrate South Asian Heritage Month through hands-on work with upcycling techniques including natural dye and block printing.

The Creative Needlework session will begin with a presentation by Anam Peeran from Ahista Stories, on the history of embroidery in South Asia, with a focus on the experiences of artisans. Then textile artist Paaras Abbas will guide participants through using a running stitch for kantha work and rilli-style applique, using a range of threads and scrap fabric.

Fabric guidance: Deadstock cotton tote bags will be available to purchase for those who do not have their own fabric. However, we strongly urge you to bring your own to fully engage with the ethos of this series, and you can bring any type of fabric you like. If you have questions, please contact Paaras Abbas on [email protected] ahead of the event.

This workshop is designed as a standalone, but we we strongly encourage those who attended previous workshops to come and build on the same piece of fabric to gain a more holistic experience of upcycling. Discount codes have been provided to those who attended Natural Dye and Block Printing.

The event space at Tooting Works is wheelchair accessible and is equipped with a unisex disabled bathroom and baby changing facilities. The closest station is Tooting Broadway, which is on the Northern Line. The closest mosque is less than 15 minutes away, but we can also create a prayer corner in the workshop space.

Follow Ahista Stories and Paaras on Instagram to learn more about previous workshops and what to expect from the BYOF series this summer.

This project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

More information and to book tickets here.