JOIN USA hobby with a human touch is something that not everyone pursues. Premalatha Ramesh Kamath has mastered the art of American patchwork and applique and interestingly, her work is based on superheroes and popular cartoon characters.
It is almost as if Premalatha is weaving a story with her delicate fingers and most often, it is a story involving some fun characters.
Colourful, fancy, expressive and full of love, her applique pieces are adorable and appreciated by children and adults alike.
She prefers to do it for charity and invests a lot of time in it.
“I started stitching at a very young age as I studied in a convent school. We had to learn needle work and that is when my inclination towards patchwork and needlework started.
However, I could not devote a lot of time after I got married. Around 10 years ago, one of my friends exhibited her work and I decided to show some of the things that I had made.
I got an overwhelming response and decided to take it up seriously. There were many distractions and challenges but that is what made me stronger and determined,” she explains.
Her passion for the art has made her a popular name among her friends and family, who look up to her not only because of her talent, but also because of her dedication towards it.
“I have rented a small workshop near my house and that is where I do most of my work. I live in a joint family and the needles strewn around the bed might not be safe for children in the house. I spend around 10 to 12 hours doing my work. I do it for my happiness, what I feel after I complete a piece cannot be explained in words.”
So how is her hobby different from the others? Premalatha says that she tries to weave in two different art forms together and comes up with something unique and tries to create something which tells a story.
“I started with American patchwork and gradually went on to do applique work. I use a bit of both to create a piece which is different. With the availability of various types of creative products available in the market, I would like my articles to stand out in the crowd,” she says.
Ask her how she manages to dedicate half her day in something as demanding as applique and pat comes the reply.
“I love doing it and it has become an integral part of my life. I find a lot of happiness in making them. I agree it is time-consuming and demanding but it has taught me some very important things like patience and calmness.”
A look at some of the bedsheets and quilts and one is sure to break into a smile.
Most of her applique pieces are based on characters like Winnie the Pooh, Power Puff Girls, ‘Chota Bheem’, Spiderman, Batman etc. It is the sort that will bring out the child that exists in everyone.
These applique pieces have become a part of her identity.
“I gift them to my relatives and friends on almost all occasions. Most often, they see something interesting and pick it up,” she notes.
The fact that she takes minimum assistance for her hobby explains a lot about her passion for it. She shops for the materials on her own.
“This hobby can strain the eyes, but I have never faced a problem, it is more than a hobby for me, it has become a part of my life. I wish to remain in good health to continue doing it till I can.”