This writer still remembers her grandmother stitching a godhadi — a traditional handmade quilt created by layering old cotton garments such as sarees and dupattas before securing them with rows of small, tight stitches. Made entirely from discarded fabric, each quilt became a personal patchwork blanket, carrying memories woven into every layer and patch.

As quilting and fabric upcycling slowly fade from everyday life, Fabric Mehfil seeks to revive these traditional practices through a collaboration between Mumbai-based initiative Quilted Stories and Thane-based community and performance space, Atrangi Katta. The idea for the workshop emerged from founder Nivea Shetty’s work with women in Govandi, where generations of embroidery and quilting skills continue to exist despite limited opportunities to earn from them.