A wonderful collection of bags made by Sandhya.
Some people create from their imagination, resourcing their materials as needed. I tend to create from what I see, or have to hand, especially with fabric, so I’m always on the lookout for interesting pieces to add to my collection. My sewing room shelves are stacked with neatly folded fabrics and the drawers are full of threads and accessories.
As a child I inherited a ‘treasure trove trunk’ full of my grandmother’s exotic dressmaking remnants: silks, velvets, jet bead work, lace, ribbons and buttons. I remember getting such a thrill from choosing and sewing different combinations of colour and texture together and that feeling has never left me.
I’ve never much liked carrying handbags so used to stuff my pockets with all the bits I needed. One day I found a small crossbody bag I could comfortably wear under my coat with space for essentials like keys, wallet and phone. So practical! So I started making some, taking them to sell at music festivals on Premgit’s photographic stall. Now, whenever I have a free afternoon I can either sew up a bag designed and cut earlier, or have a rummage in my cupboard and pull out a few combinations of fabric to create a new one.
In Poona 2 we used to design Osho’s robes in the same way. Starting with one fabric, usually the two panels or “wings” which were the most beautiful, then in the cupboard we’d find a couple of complementary fabrics for the sleeves and main body of the robe. We’d often add embellishments too. For one of my favorites, a Japanese obi, I hand-stitched a glittery thread all around its circular design. Just remembering it, puts me back into that blissful meditative experience!
Sewing for our Master taught me to do whatever I do to the best of my ability, and to do it with love.
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