I think most people who *stitch* are interested in others who *stitch* and the products of their needles and imaginations. I am fascinated by everything from anonymous ethnic textiles to contemporary artists’ work, so from time to time (for instance, when I only have brown double fourpatch blocks to showcase, day after day), I’ll share some of my interests.
I have a particular weak spot for molas and have collected a number of them. For the uninitiated, molas are multi-layer fabric panels which are laboriously hand stitched by the Kuna Indian women of Panama. Two panels comprise the front and back of the Kuna traditional blouse and the designs are stitched using a version of reverse appliqué. Subject matter ranges from traditional tribal designs to depictions of historical, religious and nature scenes to whimsical adaptations of popular advertising motifs. Although less intricate molas are produced for tourist trade in Panama, fine mola panels that were made for a stitcher’s personal use are more highly regarded by collectors. Sadly, most are anonymous works.
Wrong side view of stitches
This was my first mola purchase and it’s still one of my favorites. Originally part of a blouse, it measures 15 ½” x 12”. Make sure you click on the photos for close-ups!
Wow~ so amazing and interesting. I've seen those before, but never knew the name.
Posted by: Annie | March 01, 2005 at 06:37 PM
Wow, I think I inherited some of those when I got married, they used to be shirts, and my mother in law made them into pillows...i'll post pics as soon as I can so that we can compare!!
Anywya, taht was interesting, I never knew any history on them..thanks!
Posted by: brit | March 01, 2005 at 08:23 PM
That looks familiar. Let's go on vacation to Panama and get some more. I'll do the translating!
Posted by: molly | March 01, 2005 at 10:22 PM
When the museum of the American Indian here (part of the Smithsonian) had a huge mola show a few years ago, I actually went to see it a half dozen times. The workmanship is truly mind boggling, even to me as an appliquer. Yours is beautiful.
Posted by: Cassie | March 02, 2005 at 08:41 AM
I, too, love molas! Ooohh, the work involved... I love the black ground and the bright colors - the designs really pop!
Posted by: kelly | March 02, 2005 at 10:51 AM
Hey, I just noticed the little faces! Beautiful!
Posted by: Snowbear | March 03, 2005 at 10:46 PM
Hi Jan - i'm just getting caught up on you via your archives - when I visit my daughter in Brooklyn I often stay at a little B&B (actually just a B as there is no breakfast) near her home - in "my" room there is a beautiful mola that I love to gaze at when getting ready for bed & then 1st thing in the am - love the detail & hand workmanship - the fruits on the trees are completely disproportionate to the other images & I always think about replicating this image in a quilt
Posted by: catherine | June 13, 2006 at 12:12 PM