Growing up in Texas, on an easy day, the sun is out, there's a light breeze, birds singing and there would almost always be something cooking inside on the stove. There was nothing like kicking your feet up and eating freshly cut watermelon while the adults put the laundry on the line to dry out back.
One thing that almost always appeared on every line, at every home, were the handmade patchwork quilts, they were essentially woven into the core memories of my childhood. They carried stories, filled a need and brought comfort from one generation to the next.
Our family quilt-maker was great-great-Aunt Sanai. She spent countless hours hand-stitching quilts for every household in our family, creating beautiful heirlooms that connected us through her artistry and personal taste. In the days of “Waste not, want not”, the ability to create something from nothing was not simply a gift but an artistry of survival.
Thoughtfully collecting fabrics year-round, she created beautiful quilts from new remnants and repurposed fabrics to ensure that her family had protection from the Winter chill. Over the years, that tradition along with the quilts, quietly withered and faded, but the memories and photos of being wrapped up in comfort still remain.
Instead of losing tradition altogether, let us try reimagining the beauty of Southern patchwork quilting in a modern way. Taking note of the times, it is understandable that traditional quilt ties were made with a single yarn, in order to preserve resources. As the tradition continues and resources are plentiful, note the elevation to a 4-yarn hand-braided quilt tie, a subtle, yet fashionable progression.
Over the years, that tradition along with the quilts, quietly withered and faded away, but the memories and photos of being wrapped up in comfort still remain. The idea of losing this tradition forever feels like a personal invitation to carry a piece of that culture forward, to create a modern day heirloom for generations to come, an opportunity to return to grass roots.
As this project is very close to my heart, I would like to welcome you to come along and watch the moment unfold from beginning to end:
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO
Experience the Sanai Kaftan in motion from start to finish
WATCH THE BACKSTORY
Watch the backstory of the inspiration
SHOP NEW ARRIVALS
Discover the Sanai Kaftan and explore other new arrivals
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