Bichhauna Exhibition

Bichhuanã is a collaborative non-profit effort undertaking to help women of the rural Sindh, to a sustainable entrepreneurial pursuit. It started as an effort to help the families from Sindh that were affected by the flood in 2010. Women housed at refugee camps were encourages to utilise their time in making Rallis-traditional patchwork quilts and were compensated for their investment of time. As they returned 'home' to nothing from the camps, they were given a platform to work for and an opportunity to earn a living and build their lives all over again.

Bichhuanã - a word from Urdu which means 'Bedding' or 'bed clothes'- a very well selected word that describes the product, now supports 35 quilting families in a small village in rural Sindh. Fabric is bought shrunk and tested for colour and then cut and bagged with a design, which may be ethnic or contemporary and is sent to the quilters. 

Bichhaunas quilts are all hand made and sewn...taking the quilters upto 160 hours of labour. They are sold overseas through exhibitions and art galleries in USA Canada, UK, Dubai, S Africa, INdia and Sri Lanka. All proceeds to the quilters.

This time Bichhauna held an Exhibition at Hob Nob in karachi on January 9, 2014 where quilts made by these families from Sindh were displayed and sold. These were one of  a kind heirloom quilts, in vibrant hues that you can use on your bed, for sofas or as comforters. The event was organised by Maliha Bhimjee and Tasnim Jaffer who founded Bichaunna.

Here are some pictures from the event;

The designs of the quilts are a nice blend of ethnic and contemporary quilt making and can be used in more ways than one.

Should you wish to help Bichhauna grow or if you simply wish to own one these amazing quilts, please visit their website.