This class introduces the embroidery traditions of the Banjara community, a historically nomadic tribe whose ancestral roots lie in the Greater Thar region and its surrounding desert borderlands. As ancient caravan traders, the Banjara traversed these crossroads, absorbing the textile influences of the historic Indus Valley before migrating across the subcontinent. A hallmark of Banjara embroidery is its highly textured, geometric surface, relying heavily on mirror work, running stitches, dense herringbone, and chain stitches to anchor heavy embellishments. Participants will master these fundamental nomadic techniques while discovering how this striking needlework serves as a living, portable archive of the Thar region’s shared material culture.
Date
Thursday, January 14th, 2027
Time
2:30-5:00 pm ET
Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the day before class
Cost
$75
Recording
All World Embroidery Series sessions will be recorded. A link to each recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session. Each link is live for three months after the live session.
Class Materials:
- 32 × 32 cm 100% linen square
- Carbon paper to transfer the banjara diamond pattern
- 6-strand cotton skeins, 4-5 colors
- Embroidery needles (Number 2 and 5)
- Embroidery hoop 15 cm
- 2-5 cm, 4-5 round mirrors
- 3- 4 mm glass beads for decoration, 2-3 colors 50 grams each
About the World Embroidery Series
TATTER’s World Embroidery Series is a celebration of global embroidery craft. Sewists will encounter an astonishing array of culturally specific techniques, and will have the opportunity to learn from accomplished practicing teachers who are equally purposed in preserving heritage techniques.
Bundle Discount
When four World Embroidery classes are added to your cart, a 25% off code will be automatically applied. All classes must be in a single order to qualify for the discount.
Scholarships
We have one scholarship seat available for this workshop. To be considered for a scholarship, please fill out this scholarship application form.
Our Teacher
Gul E Raana is a textile designer and researcher originally from Punjab, Pakistan, who currently runs her design studio in Startup Barreiro, Portugal. Her creative practice focuses on researching, documenting, and reinterpreting the historical textiles of the Indus Valley region, specifically across Punjab and Sindh, and translating these ancient traditions into an accessible context for contemporary makers worldwide.
Bridging the gap between historical preservation and hands-on education, Raana collaborates with cultural institutions and museums across Lisbon and Europe to preserve South Asian textile heritage. As an international educator, she teaches embroidery and natural dye workshops across Europe. As a commitment to sustainable, circular textile design practice, she also established a community-focused botanical dye garden in Barreiro, Portugal, where she cultivates historic dye plants using organic methods.
Gul E Raana lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal, and her works can be found online at: wenlinstudio.com