The creative stitch

When Mina Popat's husband presented her with the latest Fashionmaker sewing machine, fifteen years ago, little did she know then, that sh...

When Mina Popat8217;s husband presented her with the latest Fashionmaker sewing machine, fifteen years ago, little did she know then, that she would become so attached to it. Her hobby in those days was to paint on silk, and the only time she used her machine was to turn out a pretty party frock for her daughter, Vishakha. But then Vishakha grew up and returned from her first day at college with a request for a bag, which had to be unique.

Mina rushed to the market, picked up some snazzy prints and foam. Late into the night she put them all together, using a combination of patchwork and quilting, adding a flower here, some ruffles there, bits of lace and satin ribbons. The result next day, was so attractive, that Vishakha8217;s friends accompanied her home with urgent entreaties, 8220;Aunty, please make bags for us too.8221; Aunty of course agreed to their requests and had her hands full, meeting their demands. Mina then branched into making bags for babies. Bags which would hold their milk bottles or diapers and clothes. Gradually she started compiling whole sets together. A small round bag to hold one bottle, another bigger one to hold at least four bottles plus a napkin or two. A small rectangular overnight bag for clothes, a square quilt and a large spacious bag into which all these could be packed.

From baby stuff, Mina experimented successfully with tissue-box covers, tea-cosies, toilet-cases, jewellery and cosmetic bags with numerous handy compartments. She even made matching bag sets for ladies. This would include shopping bag, a handbag with a small purse, a spectacle case and even a tiny key-bag inside.

There are many points which set Mina8217;s handiwork apart from the rest. First and foremost is the extreme neatness, colour combination and style of her creations. Her favourite colours are pastels, peach, pink, blue, sunny yellow, mauve or lemon. She opts for tiny checks, stripes, dots of all sizes and heart motifs, all of which are ingeniously combined to give a smart effect. Added to that is the fact, that the materials she uses are of the best quality. Although it would certainly be more cost-effective to buy in bulk, Mina prefers to buy smaller quantities, changing her combination of prints as fast as the designs she innovates. The laces, ribbons and other accessories that she uses are the finest. Most of them are picked up from Mumbai, where she spends hours browsing through the shops.

Each piece she designs is different from the rest. A large baby bag in pink has pretty hakoba lace all around it. On either side are what look like two buttoned-on wings from the outside, but when opened reveal themselves to be clear plastic pockets for keeping baby8217;s wet clothes. Little rose-buds stitched all over make it ideal for a girl. There is a round bag with a lid, in navy blue, white and red. With smart piping and a few tiny teddy dolls playing over it, it makes an ideal gift for a little boy.

A polka-dotted mauve quilt has girl appliques on it. She wears a bonnet over brown, woollen plaits and a pretty layered dress, holds a bouquet of satin flowers in her hands and is surrounded by more flowers and leaves. On another blue-striped quilt, a plump boy in knickerbockers, flies a kite attached with a length of satin ribbon. A tea-cosy is shaped like a cottage, complete with red sloping roof, window panes which can be opened for curtains, and even a minute brass knob on the door. Blue woolly smoke curls out from the chimney. You can be sure that Mina will look into every detail however small, to make the end result a breathtaking work of art.

8220;Initially, I used to give them all away as gifts, but my friends and relatives who repeatedly placed orders for these items, pressurised me to accept some remuneration. But for me, the appreciation I get is more important,8221; says Mina. Whether it is for a new-born baby, a birthday, an anniversary or just about any occasion, her crafts make useful and attractive gifts and Mina has her hands full, coping up with the demands which come pouring in. A couple of shops on Dhole Patil Road and M.G. Road were keen to display her products, but she found that a little too hectic.

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A room in her row-house is set apart for her work. Holding pride of place, is of course the Fashionmaker and strewn all around in gay abandon are fabrics of every hue, which in her nimble hands will come to life in unique, soft, wonderful shapes. Lucky indeed is the person, adult or child, who receives any of these delightful items as a gift.