The Portrait Quilt : A Final Reveal
It was a hundred years ago that the story of this quilt actually started...
It is the story of Krishnaji Shripad Dandekar - or Dada-ajoba (Big grandfather) to our family now.
In a small town, Sangli there lived a young man who was a mechanic and repaired bicycles (there were so few cars then). One day he fell down into a well and broke his leg. After that he could not go back to be a mechanic - the medical treatments were not yet so advanced and a fracture meant a broken bone for life!
But he did not give up! He was strong, not strong physically, but by nature...
He decided to start his own business. He was innovative when he decided to start selling lantern glass! Typically an oil lantern glass would break pretty often and people would rather not buy the whole lantern just for that! He found a place on Ganpati Road (now a bustling main commercial street in the town, but then a small lane that went to the city temple.) an sat on it with his small "shop"
But soon the business grew. He made a lot of additions to it. He built a house - a two-storeyed house - at the very place he used to sit on a piece of burlap.
During the independence struggle, his son became a freedom fighter. He was even imprisoned at times. But Dada-ajoba never let his spirit die.
Soon after India became independent. It was a moment of joy and celebration for the entire country. But almost immediately after it, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. The culprit was Nathuram Godse. This caused a communal violence all over India and Dada-ajoba's house was burnt down. It must have been a traumatic event, but Dada-ajoba just became even more stronger. Looking at the still smouldering ashes he decided to build a three storeyed house in its place! AND HE DID!
He worked harder (not to forget that he was almost 45 years older than he must have been when he started his business) and built a three storeyed house in the very place! The house stands tall and proud today as a salute to the hard work, innovation and never-say-die spirit of the person who built it!
I am proud to be a part of this family. Every true Dandekar has the traits of Dada-ajoba. Today the business has grown many-folds - we have come a long way from selling lantern glass. We sell building materials, generator sets, cement, steel, agriculatural products and now - Laptops! But the streak of character remains. And I feel that it is due to that character that "Dandekar = trust" equation exists. We have loyal customers who have been with us for 2 generations , or more!
Next year - 2013 - we will be celebrating the centenary of our business : M/s P. K. Dandekar. I had always admired dada-ajoba and wanted to do my little bit in paying respect to him...
I decided to make a portrait quilt to celebrate his spirit!

This was a daunting project. I was perpetually scared I might not be able to do it right. I was scared that it might end up looking totally different. But I decided to give it a try nevertheless!
And here's the result... My first (there will be many more to come, I'm sure) portrait quilt!
I raw edge appliqued all the pieces together to make this one... I used about 15 different fabrics in shades of grey for it. I used Kona Cotton (a half yard bundle of Silent Cinema), Bella Solids (assorted) and local cotton fabric.
The fusing was done using Pellon Fusible # 805
I top stitched the pieces down first and then quilted it with lines that I'd have done the sketch with.
I used Aurifil thread to quilt it. #2615 for quilting the background, # 2605, # 2612, # 2630 and #2620 for top stitching the pieces and #2692 for the sketching line - quilting (all wt 50). In the entire process of going through multiple layers - I also used Pellon to baste the quilt so the layers were : Fused piece (sometimes more than 3 overlapping each other) - Pellon - back fabric - pellon - batting - pellon - backing - there were only 2 incidents where the thread broke! And both the times the needle broke maybe because i was tugging the piece while quilting!
I quilted it on my Emily! (Bernina 330) And she sure did a great job!
Quilt stats :
Quilt Size : 32.5 " x 48"
# of pieces fused : 3488+
Batting : Cotton
Techniques used : Raw Edge applique and Free motion quilting.
I'd love to make many more portrait quilts. Making this quilt was a satisfaction in itself. It made me think, as I traced, cut and fused each piece about myself and I feel I learnt a lot from the process.
I'd really like to thank Sandra Bruce for being the inspiration to make this quilt. Had it not been for you, I would not even have attempted it!
:)
Yes, I'm proud to have made this!
Proud to be a part of the Dandekar family!
Cheers!!!
It is the story of Krishnaji Shripad Dandekar - or Dada-ajoba (Big grandfather) to our family now.
In a small town, Sangli there lived a young man who was a mechanic and repaired bicycles (there were so few cars then). One day he fell down into a well and broke his leg. After that he could not go back to be a mechanic - the medical treatments were not yet so advanced and a fracture meant a broken bone for life!
But he did not give up! He was strong, not strong physically, but by nature...
He decided to start his own business. He was innovative when he decided to start selling lantern glass! Typically an oil lantern glass would break pretty often and people would rather not buy the whole lantern just for that! He found a place on Ganpati Road (now a bustling main commercial street in the town, but then a small lane that went to the city temple.) an sat on it with his small "shop"
But soon the business grew. He made a lot of additions to it. He built a house - a two-storeyed house - at the very place he used to sit on a piece of burlap.
During the independence struggle, his son became a freedom fighter. He was even imprisoned at times. But Dada-ajoba never let his spirit die.
Soon after India became independent. It was a moment of joy and celebration for the entire country. But almost immediately after it, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. The culprit was Nathuram Godse. This caused a communal violence all over India and Dada-ajoba's house was burnt down. It must have been a traumatic event, but Dada-ajoba just became even more stronger. Looking at the still smouldering ashes he decided to build a three storeyed house in its place! AND HE DID!
He worked harder (not to forget that he was almost 45 years older than he must have been when he started his business) and built a three storeyed house in the very place! The house stands tall and proud today as a salute to the hard work, innovation and never-say-die spirit of the person who built it!
I am proud to be a part of this family. Every true Dandekar has the traits of Dada-ajoba. Today the business has grown many-folds - we have come a long way from selling lantern glass. We sell building materials, generator sets, cement, steel, agriculatural products and now - Laptops! But the streak of character remains. And I feel that it is due to that character that "Dandekar = trust" equation exists. We have loyal customers who have been with us for 2 generations , or more!
Next year - 2013 - we will be celebrating the centenary of our business : M/s P. K. Dandekar. I had always admired dada-ajoba and wanted to do my little bit in paying respect to him...
I decided to make a portrait quilt to celebrate his spirit!
This was a daunting project. I was perpetually scared I might not be able to do it right. I was scared that it might end up looking totally different. But I decided to give it a try nevertheless!
And here's the result... My first (there will be many more to come, I'm sure) portrait quilt!
I raw edge appliqued all the pieces together to make this one... I used about 15 different fabrics in shades of grey for it. I used Kona Cotton (a half yard bundle of Silent Cinema), Bella Solids (assorted) and local cotton fabric.
The fusing was done using Pellon Fusible # 805
I top stitched the pieces down first and then quilted it with lines that I'd have done the sketch with.
I used Aurifil thread to quilt it. #2615 for quilting the background, # 2605, # 2612, # 2630 and #2620 for top stitching the pieces and #2692 for the sketching line - quilting (all wt 50). In the entire process of going through multiple layers - I also used Pellon to baste the quilt so the layers were : Fused piece (sometimes more than 3 overlapping each other) - Pellon - back fabric - pellon - batting - pellon - backing - there were only 2 incidents where the thread broke! And both the times the needle broke maybe because i was tugging the piece while quilting!
I quilted it on my Emily! (Bernina 330) And she sure did a great job!
Quilt stats :
Quilt Size : 32.5 " x 48"
# of pieces fused : 3488+
Batting : Cotton
Techniques used : Raw Edge applique and Free motion quilting.
I'd love to make many more portrait quilts. Making this quilt was a satisfaction in itself. It made me think, as I traced, cut and fused each piece about myself and I feel I learnt a lot from the process.
I'd really like to thank Sandra Bruce for being the inspiration to make this quilt. Had it not been for you, I would not even have attempted it!
:)
Yes, I'm proud to have made this!
Proud to be a part of the Dandekar family!
Cheers!!!
51 Comments
Beautiful story and a noble quilt. I think you made an heirloom.
ReplyDeleteI am just so impressed with how it turned out, I can't even think up the appropriate compliments here!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Quilt...
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. They will fall over!
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing quilt to go with an amazingly strong history! You did an awesome job!
ReplyDeletecongratulations on your perseverance! what a wonderful heritage piece for generations. superb work and lots of love poured into it - it shows!!
ReplyDeletecongratulations on your perseverance! what a wonderful heritage piece for generations. superb work and lots of love poured into it - it shows!!
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed. Thank you for sharing the whole story- not just of the quilt but also of your family. Happy anniversary (a bit early).
ReplyDeleteSuch a great story and a fabulous quilt! I'm so glad you finally went ahead and made it!! :) Also - it made me smile that you quilted it with me. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to read the story about the man in the portrait. You really did a fabulous job.
ReplyDeleteShruti, this is an absolutely beautiful piece of art. And the story behind it is equally fabulous. You are so talented.
ReplyDeleteYour portrait is fantastic! And there is a wonderful story to go with it. I hope you will write the story out and attach it to the back, or beside, the quilt.
ReplyDeleteTruly amazing and a wonderful story
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! A treasured keepsake for years to come!
ReplyDeleteJust wonderful! You did an amazing thing!
ReplyDeleteTruly an amazing tribute - your story touches my heart.
ReplyDeleteOh Shruti! This is just so amazing and fantastic!! What a wonderful tribute to such an inspiring man. I'm sure your dada-ajoba would be honored.
ReplyDeleteThis is really amazing! Makes me want to give portrait quilting a go! Thanks for the beautiful inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWell done!
ReplyDeleteEXTRAORDINARY!! what a beautiful story and the tribute with this gorgeous portrait! nicely done!!..continued success...
ReplyDeleteWow, just amazing! And such a lovely story too :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and thanks for sharing the story behind it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing. The quilt and the story!
ReplyDeleteTht is just WOW.
ReplyDeleteShruti, you made an exceptional portrait quilt. Awesome
ReplyDeleteAmazing!!! You did a fantistic job. Be very proud.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, Shruti! You should be proud.
ReplyDeleteThat looks SO good. You did a fantastic job.
ReplyDeleteExcellent job! I have always wanted to make a portrait quilt. I better start collecting grey fabrics.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing piece of art and craftsmanship. Stunning! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a remarkable quilt and no wonder your so proud of what this fine man achieved!
ReplyDeleteIts a delightful story of endurance and tenacity.......youve obviously inherited some of it yourself and this quilt proves it !
I have to agree with Trevor from "so I married a craft blogger" this is a masterpiece. I am so impressed.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your creation! It is truely inspiring.
with love,
-Jo
Congratulations! And what a wonderful story as well!
ReplyDeleteWhat a testament to you and your family. Your perseverance and talent are certainly evident in your masterpiece , although others are bound to follow. Congratulations .
ReplyDeleteThat is simply amazing! Good luck with Sew-vivor!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is amazing. I love it. Good Luck with sew-vivor.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog by googling Portrait quilts, have been reading the blog nonstop, I love this quilt! It is beautiful, such a work of art.......Thanks for sharing it with us!!
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