[ZiangzeCho]

How did you go about creating a patchwork dressing gown using four years' worth of fabric scraps, and what inspired you to embark on such a project? Can you share the specific techniques, design considerations, and challenges you encountered during the process, as well as the sentimental or meaningful aspects attached to using fabric scraps collected over the span of four years? Additionally, how does the final result reflect your personal style or creativity, and what do you envision for the future of this unique and labor-intensive creation?

[SalabhBhamri]

The patchwork robe started as a whisper, an itch to weave time and memories into something tangible. For four years, I held onto scraps, each whispering stories: a silk sari from a vibrant Indian wedding, a velvet remnant from a first solo adventure, linen from grandma's tablecloth. The project itself was a tapestry of techniques.

Construction:

Fabric selection: I grouped scraps by color and weight, balancing bold prints with softer textures.
Patchwork piecing: Hand-stitching stories together, whispering secrets into seams.
Quilting: Layers of batting and lining hugged like memories, warmth radiating from within.
Challenges:

Harmony over chaos: Balancing diverse patterns and textures without losing cohesion.
Structural integrity: Ensuring sturdiness while maintaining flowing drape.
Letting go: Accepting that some scraps wouldn't make the cut, their essence woven into the spirit of the whole.
Sentimentality:

Each stitch was a whispered thank you to the experiences, people, and places woven into the fabric. Wearing it is like embracing time travel, memories swirling around me like a comforting cloak.

Personal style:

The robe reflects my love for color, texture, and storytelling. It's a wearable manifesto of slow living, treasuring experiences, and embracing imperfect beauty.

Future of the robe:

This is just the beginning. As life unravels new threads, I envision adding more patches, each stitch whispering its own tale. It's a living heirloom, a wearable diary waiting to be filled with adventures.

The robe is more than fabric; it's a tapestry of time, love, and memories, whispering its unique story with every rustle and sigh.