Intro to Kawandi Quilting - Option I

Class Description

Discover the beauty, rhythm, and tradition of Kawandi, a hand-stitched style of quilting practiced by an African community of women with deep roots in India. In this two-session course, Vivian Benton will guide you through the step-by-step process of creating a Kawandi (the word Kawandi means quilt) while enjoying the calming, meditative rhythm of hand stitching. Kawandi quilts are built from the outside in, using fabric scraps to create one-of-a-kind pieces rich with personal meaning and storytelling. Whether you are an experienced quilter or new to needle and thread, this class offers a stress-free approach that emphasizes mindfulness, improvisation, and creative freedom. For Vivian, a decades-long quilter, hand stitching provides a space for mindfulness, personal expression, and storytelling through cloth. In teaching this class, she shares both the joy and meditative qualities of Kawandi quilting, welcoming students of all skill levels into a supportive, pressure-free learning environment. Dates/Sessions - OPTION I: Session 1: January 24, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Session 2: February 21, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Note: Students are enrolled in both sessions for the option selected. Session dates cannot be mixed. SUPPLY LIST: Fat Quarter for the quilt backing (18"x22"; coordinate with your fabric scraps) Fabric Scraps – a variety of cotton fabrics, 4” or larger; press but do not starch (50-75 scrap pieces recommended) Straight pins Scissors Ruler MATERIALS PROVIDED: Batting Perle Cotton Thread Ball Sashiko Needle SKILL LEVEL: Novice/Beginner