CHENNAI: The Double Wedding Ring quilt has long carried the weight of symbolism. Its interlocking circles, borrowed from ancient Roman imagery and medieval Gimmel rings, have come to represent love, continuity and commitment. Popularised in America in the 1920s, the pattern became especially significant during the Great Depression, when quilters used scraps from worn clothing to create meaningful heirlooms. Often gifted to newlyweds, the design spoke of two lives joined together, enduring even in uncertain times. The Quilt India Foundation was founded by Tina Katwal and Varsha Sundararajan.
That history finds a contemporary presence in Chennai at Reflect, a theme-based art quilt exhibition organised by the Quilt India Foundation. Spread across Sri Sankara Hall on TTK Road, the upcoming exhibition brings together quilts that move beyond function, using fabric as a medium for memory, philosophy and personal reflection.
Reflect grew out of an annual challenge organised by The Square Inch, India’s first quilting studio based in Chennai. According to Varsha Sundararajan, co-founder of the Quilt India Foundation, participants were given a clearly defined brief.
Fifty-eight completed works were eventually juried into the exhibition.
While the challenge pushed participants to work within limits, Varsha says the larger impact of quilting lies in what happens off the design wall. “In a world of nuclear families, quilting has become a support system for elders. People come together, sit for hours, talk and help each other finish projects. It keeps isolation at bay.
Many in Chennai’s quilting community are women, for whom the practice offers both creative purpose and companionship. “There is a deep sense of fulfilment in completing something with your own hands. The friendships that come out of this are very real. Chennai alone has over 250 quilters, and the age range is wide,” adds Varsha.
Quilting, she explains, demands presence. “You are actively creating. Your mind and hands are engaged and that focus is very grounding.” She recalls a moment when a quilter made quilted trays as return gifts for her son’s wedding. When time ran short, two others stepped in to help her finish the pieces. “That’s the spirit of this community. You don’t work alone,” she smiles.
Accessibility is another reason quilting continues to draw people in. “A quilt doesn’t have to be large. You can make something as small as 10 cms by 10 cms. Beginners don’t need to take on intimidating projects. At the same time, quilting also allows for large-scale work,” Varsha points out. Few art forms, she adds, balance aesthetics and utility as seamlessly.
The therapeutic nature of quilting has become increasingly visible in recent years. “There’s something meditative about it. You slow down and commit to finishing what you start. That ability to focus is becoming rare.”
Among the exhibition’s standout works is Rolling Waves, a striking optical illusion quilt made entirely from straight-edged fabric. Through precise cutting and careful colour placement, the piece appears to ripple and flow, creating the illusion of constant movement despite its rigid construction.
At 83, Pushpa Jaypal is one of the oldest participants in the exhibition. She began quilting ten years ago when she was looking for something to keep herself occupied. “I had seen hand quilting before, but I didn’t know much about machine quilting. I had seen it abroad and always wanted to learn. When I heard about The Square Inch in Chennai, I joined immediately,” shares Pushpa.
What began as curiosity soon turned into a regular practice. Pushpa says quilting introduced her to a diverse group of people. “You meet those who want to learn, who want to create. Everyone has some hidden talent, and quilting helps bring it out.”
She prefers making functional pieces like everyday quilts, baby quilts in soft pastel shades and small items like totes, purses and pouches. “These don’t take long and they make wonderful gifts. Once you understand how patterns work and how to cut fabric, you can create something completely different each time,” she explains.
For Reflect, Pushpa has created a quilt titled ‘I Believe’. It depicts a young girl holding an umbrella under a bright sun, staring into space, with her reflection mirrored below. Her quilting style remains simple, without heavy embellishment. For Pushpa, quilting has become more than a hobby. “I call it occupational therapy,” she says.
The exhibition also features stalls selling quilted products, fabrics and materials, reinforcing the Quilt India Foundation’s effort to promote quilting as a serious art form. Reflect will be inaugurated on January 23 and will be open from 4.30 pm to 8 pm on the first day. From January 24 to 26, it will be open between 11 am and 8 pm.