Patchwork & Appliqué are very ancient techniques and exist among most communities of India. In Patchwork small pieces of fabric are stitched together creating a larger whole, while in Appliqué smaller pieces of fabric are sewed onto a larger background fabric forming a single pattern.

For many embroidery styles, master craftwork depends on keen eyesight. By middle age, women can no longer see as well and they naturally turn their skills and repertoire of patterns to Patchwork, a tradition that was originally devised to make use of old fabrics.