The sold-out March 28th Mola workshop with instructor Shirley Prakke was a delightful introduction to the unique combination of reverse and regular appliqué that originated with the Kuna people of Panama. Shirley—and a number of the class participants—brought many samples of Mola work purchased during visits to Panama. Showing a mix of traditional and contemporary designs, all the works were made with brightly coloured fabrics usually set off with black. Of particular interest was the variation in technique and skill level that the works displayed.

The start of the process with two layers of fabric basted together, the top layer cut and the edges folded under and sewn down

A completed variation with embroidery in the centre of each feather

Photos by Anne Pelton