MamtaCrafts

Brown Ikat Fabric By The Yard

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 17:27:00 +0000

This brown ikat fabric is pure Indian cotton fabric in light brown color. It has lovely cross Aztec ikat designs in cream & orange colors. This amazing Indian fabric is lightweight and great for clothing. It is soft and gets even softer after every wash and is great for the skin.

Brown Ikat Fabric

This design is not just an ikat print, the design comes into existence while making it on a handloom. An ikat print fabric is just an ikat like design or print on a cotton or rayon fabric. The yarns on authentic ikat fabric are dyed first and then made into a fabric resulting in uneven yet an interesting design.

Size:

Length: 36 inches.
Width: 46 inches

Shipping:

Your package is shipped safely and securely. It is packed in such a manner that it can travel the globe twice without any external damage. We pack it aesthetically and with utmost care to ensure that your order is delivered to you properly.

Ikat Design

What is Ikat?

Ikat is a resist- dyeing technique which is very similar to tie-dye. However in ikat technique, a design is first decided. Then, the yarns are bound together & hand dyed in the colors that will show up on the fabric in a specific planned design. Then, these yarns are arranged in such a manner that the design emerges during the weaving process. The threads used for making this textile fabric are dyed first using organic & vegetable dyes. Then, it is made into a fabric resulting in an uneven yet an interesting design.

Ikat Fabric

If you want to know more about ikats, please watch my video on ikat upholstery fabric.

√ Recommended Uses of Brown Ikat Fabric:

Home decor projects like ikat drapes, indoor outdoor, curtains, cushions and throws, pillow covers, chair upholstery, etc. It can also be used as quilt or sewing fabric.

Our Commitment:

When you order this ikat fabric, we inspect inch by inch of this contemporary fabric for any flaw or defect before we dispatch it to you. This type of quality inspection ensures that you get only the best and nothing less. You pay for high quality fabric and we make sure that you are 100% satisfied with its quality. Anybody can make money, which is very simple. We, at ‘Designs by Mamta’ are here to build a relationship with our customers. We like to walk an extra mile for you to make your experience with us a delightful one!

Buy This Ikat Fabric NOW!

Tank Top Pattern Make Designer Crochet Camisole Blouse

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 14:14:00 +0000

Make Tank Top Pattern This Winter To Accent Those Gorgeous Curves! It Fits Sensuously Around Your Body. It Gives The Fit You've Always Dreamed For In An Outfit.

Tank Top Pattern

This Unique Pullover Features Vertical And Horizontal Design And A Scalloped Picot Edging. I was very delighted after making this tank top which was in turquoise color. Hence, I named it as, "Turquoise Delight".

Buy With Confidence:

This Turquoise Delight Crochet Tank Top pattern has been thoroughly tested by me and my dedicated team of independent pattern testers from all over the world for any flaws or errors. I ensured that you get the best and nothing less.

Toddler Tank Top Pattern

Specifications Of Turquoise Delight Crochet Tank Top Pattern:

Craft: Crochet

Type: Designer Crochet Pattern

Category: Tops Sleeveless ►Top Vest

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

Crochet Tank Top Pattern

Finished Garment Measurement:

Bust: 32 inches (small) 36 inches (medium), 40 inches (large), 44 inches (X-large)

Abbreviations: US terms

Designer Crochet Pattern

Click To Buy This Unique Designer Pattern Now!

Crochet Kids Hat A Halloween Monster Cap

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:37:00 +0000

A cute designer crochet kids hat with googly eyes, horns, 2 stringy hands and ferocious looking pointed teeth. It will make an excellent Halloween costume for your newborn baby or infant. This is my award winning unique crochet hat which also appeared in a top notch magazine some time ago.

Crochet Kids Hat

Type: Crochet Kids Hat

Who can wear these unique crochet hats?

These cute baby hats are for infants, newborns, toddlers, kids, boys and girls. It can also be used as baby photography props by photographers for taking professional pictures of the newborn babies. This monster crochet hat is also known by other names such as Halloween hat, crochet beanie, crochet party hat, newborn babies hat, etc.

Specifications Of This Crochet Hat For Boys:

Yarn Used:

The yarn I use is 100% acrylic. If God forbid, your baby is allergic to acrylic, then I also can make it in cotton/ wool yarn.

Sizes Available for these cute baby hats:

You can select the required head circumference size from the drop box option along with your preferred color. I will also answer this common question asked to me by many of my customers. Every child is unique and their head circumference varies. However, an average newborn crochet hat size is of approximately 14 inches. Crochet hats for premature babies size is between 12 to 13.5 inches. I make all these hat size as per your requirement.

Colors: You can order this cool crochet hat in any color that you want!

Crochet Monster Hat

Custom Order:
This newborn crochet beanie is a custom order. It means it will take me about a week to make this crochet Halloween hat especially for you. I think every child is special and have their own color preferences. Each of these designer hats are made with love. When your child wear this cute handmade crochet hat, you will yourself feel the warmth and personal touch that went into making it. These awesome hats are also available for toddler, kids, children, boys, girls, women and men of all ages.

What are you waiting for?! You can visit my website NOW to buy this unique crochet hat.

Crochet Tank Top Pattern To Delight Yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 15:03:00 +0000

I designed this crochet tank top pattern initially for myself. After much window shopping, I realized that there were very limited choices of over sized tank tops for plus sized women. Being a crochet designer myself, I took this as a small challenge and went ahead to design a tank top for myself!

Cool Crochet Patterns

It's just in the sub-conscious minds of women that they are as overweight, fat or ugly. I like to think that no women is ugly. They just do not know how to look beautiful! This crochet tank top pattern is an effort to prove that all women even plus size women have a right to look attractive.

My Inspiration Behind Making This Crochet Tank Top

Crochet Tank Top Pattern

I wanted to make a simple design which fitted perfectly to accents the gorgeous curves of a woman and hopefully make them feel beautiful about themselves. I read somewhere that clothes with vertical stripes in a design can make a person look slimmer and taller. Hence, the vertical stripes that forms the major portion of this design. The tank top fashion has been in vogue for very long and always have been the first choice of ladies!

Tank Top Pattern

There is a short interesting story why I named this tank top as Turquoise Delight. I saw this movie, "Chronicles of Narnia" & really loved the name, "Turkish Delight" so much that it stuck in my mind. When I was thinking about a name for this top, something delight sounded fun. The color of the yarn I used is almost turquoise, so I simply named it "Turquoise Delight".

Crochet Tank Top Pattern For Kids

This unique women's tank top is also known as camisole, blouse, pullover, sleeveless shirts, etc. In this designer pattern, you will learn how to crochet tank top with easy to understand step by step instructions along with the video tutorials.

Soon, I will be making lace tank top which will my next crochet project. I hope you enjoyed this story. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write to me. I always enjoy a little chit chat. :)

My Style, My Way..

Mamta Motiyani

If you found this post a little useful and informative, then all you have to do is click like button of Facebook, Pinterest and/or Google+. It really inspires me to write more about such crafts. Thank you for your time.

Bagh Print Fabric A Unique Technique Using Natural Vegetable Dyes

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Fri, 23 May 2014 17:59:00 +0000

What Is Bagh Print?

Bagh Print is one of the age old style of Indian fabric printing. It is another form of hand printing or hand block printing on fabric, cloth or paper. In this type of printing natural vegetable dyes in the form of plants, flowers, trees, leaves, bark, etc are used. “Bagh” literally means “Garden” in Hindi language. Bagh print fabric is pure Indian handloom cotton which is eco-friendly and organic.

Bagh Print Fabric

It is made by using natural vegetable dyes and pigments. Natural dyes such as turmeric roots, madder, beet, mango, pomegranate rinds, madder, saffron, heena, indigo, onion skin are used. Herbs like ' harad' which is botanical name of terminalia chebula, etc also play an important part in the process. The designs on the fabric created are traditional prints of India. It consists of mostly floral, paisley and geometrical patterns.

Where Bagh Print Is Made?

It is a native print done mainly in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh in India by their rural population. Interestingly, ‘Bagh’ is also the name of the small town in Dhar district where this unique organic fabric is made.

How Is Bagh Print Different?

Bagh print is completely different from any other fabric printing techniques like screen printing or digital printing. The designs on fabric are usually one or other kind of motifs which represent nature in one form or the other. There are other print of fabric like Jaali or Jali work which were the intricate designs found in Taj Mahal which is one of the 7 wonders of the world.

The method used in making bagh print fabric and Indian Block Print is almost the same. However, in block print technique, the dye used is chemical and commercial. In the making of bagh print, utmost care is taken to make it only by using natural dyes. The main technique in making of these bagh prints is the use of hand carved woodblock print on the fabric.

The entire process is painstaking and labor intensive. It takes approximately 20 days to complete the entire process and get the finished product. It takes time because blocks of wood are sometimes custom made for a specific design. The fabric is dyed, washed repeatedly with hands to ensure that the colors of the fabric are color fast. The end result is worth the time and efforts and the print on cotton is splendid.

Who Makes Bagh Print Fabric?

This fabric is made by the artisans of India residing in rural parts of Madhya Pradesh. It not helps in rural development but is also these people’s major source of income. It is an organic fair trade fabric. It means the laborers and whoever is involved in this process is paid fairly and properly.

Bagh Print Saree

Why Use Bagh Print Fabric?

The entire process of making bagh print fabric is handmade. Due to which, it gives the designs on fabric a subtle irregular look. In other words, there are some characteristic variations in texture and occasional imperfections found in this type of handmade fabric. It actually adds to the beauty and can never be found on machine made or digitally printed fabric.

Bagh print is non-toxic and allergy free and above all, good for your skin. The advantages are that bagh print is an eco-friendly fabric, biodegradable and organic. The natural dyes used to make the fabric is mostly permanent and fade resistant.

This fantastic fabric becomes softer and shiner after every wash due to the vegetable dyes used in it instead of the chemicals. The feeling of wearing or using the environment friendly fabric in itself provides you with immense joy and satisfaction.

Bagh Print

How To Check the Authenticity of this Bagh Print Fabric?

During the production of bagh print, a special component called madder lake also known as Alizarin is used in the process of dyeing. If you smell the fabric, you sense a peculiar scent of this natural organic compound. Then, you know that is a genuine bagh print fabric.

Recommended Uses of Bagh Print:

This amazing light weight fabric is suitable for a variety of purposes. Bagh print sarees are much sought in India and worn by women who are aware of its organic properties of such cloth material. The fabric can be used for garments, making curtains, upholstery, etc. It can also be used for quilting, sewing, scrap booking and other craft projects.

All bagh print fabric in my shop except shown in the first picture are sold out! You can shop for more such beautiful Indian fabrics in my shop!

All the pictures above are protected under copyrights act. If you intend to use all or any of these images, then please give due credit to the author and this webpage link. Thank you!

Mamta Motiyani

My Style, My Way..

I have a quest for knowledge and often find what I want to know- but after much struggle and reading encyclopedias! Not everybody wants a thesis! In my blog, you will find quick and easy information without any jargon, technical details or detailed history of that craft. You can always find that data all over the Internet, Wikipedia, etc.

My objective is to give you a starting point and quick reference for you to move ahead. If you have still have quench for further knowledge, then you probably know where to look for.

If you found this post a little useful and informative, then all you have to do is click Share button of Facebook, Pinterest and/or Google+. It really inspires me to write more about such crafts. Thank you for your time.

What Is Ikat Fabric A Journey With Mamta

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Mon, 19 May 2014 12:28:00 +0000

Ikat And My 5 Friends. What, Who, Where, Why and How.

What Is Ikat?

Ikat is a unique resist-dyeing technique which is very similar to tie-dye. The simple meaning of Ikat is tie and dye.

Ikat Fabric

In ikat weaving, the yarns are tie dyed before weaving process begins. The ultimate result is abstract, geometric pattern, floral and other hypnotizing patterns and designs.

Red Ikat Fabric

Who Uses Ikat?

Who doesn't use Ikat?! Ikat interior designing is a new phenomenon that is popular in the world of home decor. Ikat fabric is one of the oldest fabric that is used for upholstery, clothing, drapery, etc.

Orange Ikat Fabric

In modern times, it is considered to have a class of its own and often a preferred fabric of elite class.

Purple Ikat Fabric

The fabric is used to make Ikat rugs, carpet, curtains, duvet cover, tablecloth, bedspread, curtain panel, napkins, throw blanket, shower curtain, quilt, drapes, pillow covers, quilting, etc. The sky is the only limit.

Gray Ikat Fabric

Where Ikat Is Made?

India is the hub of Ikat pattern fabric. Double ikat weaving is one of the specialty of this country. Besides India, Japan, Uzbekistan, Guatemala, Indonesia, etc are also leading producers of this fabric.

Pink Ikat Fabric

Why Ikat?

All types of ikat fabric, whether it is double ikat, suzani ikat, Japanese ikat, etc are sturdy, hand woven and have intricate mesmerizing designs. It is most sought upholstery fabric due to its handmade style.

Woven Ikat Cotton Fabric

How Ikat Is Made?

In ikat technique, a design is first decided. Then, the yarns are bound together and hand dyed in the colors that will show up on the fabric in a specific planned design.

Turquoise Ikat Fabric

Then, these yarns are arranged in such a manner that the design emerges during the weaving process.

Green Ikat Fabric

The threads used for making this fabric are dyed first using organic and vegetable dyes. Then, it is made into a fabric resulting in an uneven yet an interesting design.

Indian Ikat Fabric

It is a very labor intensive work but the end results are worth the time and efforts.

Brown Ikat Fabric

If you want to buy these fabrics, you can check out some of the unique ikat fabric which I have in my shop.

You can even watch this Ikat fabric video if you like visuals.

All the pictures above are protected under copyrights act. If you intend to use all or any of these images, then please contact the author for the permission. If any of these pictures are published whether digital or in print media without author's consent will be considered as infringement of intellectual property rights. Appropriate legal action will be taken in that case. Thank you!

My Style, My Way..

Mamta Motiyani

I have a quest for knowledge and often find what I want- but after much struggle and reading encyclopedias! Not everybody wants a thesis! In my blog, you will find quick and easy information without any jargons, technical details or ancient history of that craft. You can find that data all over the Internet, Wikipedia, etc.

My objective is to give you a starting point and quick reference for you to move ahead. If you have still have quench for further knowledge, then you probably know where to look for.

Kalamkari- An Ancient Form of Hand Painting on Fabric.

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Tue, 13 May 2014 07:41:00 +0000

Kalamkari

What Is Kalamkari?

Kalamkari, Qalamkari or Kalam Kari is an Ancient Indian Form of Hand Painting on Fabric. It is a form of Fabric Printing Techniques in which ‘Kalam’ that is a special purpose pen is used to print on a fabric. The fabric pen used by these artists is usually made of bamboo to create mesmerizing designs on fabric. In fact, the word, ‘Kalamkari’ itself means Pen Craft.

What Is Kalamkari Fabric?

Kalamkari Fabric designs or prints are different from Indian Block Printing Technique. In Block Printing, wooden carved block prints are used to print the fabric. In Kalamkari, too, the artisans use block print after the design is first drawn on paper. However, the contemporary artists prefer to use pens instead of the block print. Since the entire Kalamkari work is handmade, you will find subtle irregularities in designs on the fabric.

Where Is Kalamkari Fabric Made?

This type of unique art is practiced mostly in southern parts of India. Only natural vegetable dyes and colors such as seeds, plants, crushed flowers, tree bark, cow dung, etc are used to make this amazing handmade fabric.

Hand Printed Fabric Indian Kalamkari

How Is Kalamkari Fabric Made?

The entire process of making a Kalamkari fabric is labor intensive. It involves more than 15 levels and takes about 3 to 6 weeks to complete it. The end result emerges into an original artwork which is cherished by those who love organic cotton fabric.

In Kalamkari designs, you will usually find primary colors like red, green, blue, black and white in the painting. The background shade is mostly in beige or reddish color. The most common kalamkari prints are which depicts mythological characters, temples, animals or vintage floral designs. Sometimes, you may find abstract painting designs.

Why Use Kalamkari Fabric?

The colors imprinted on Kalamkari fabric are permanent and do not fade easily. The material becomes softer and the designs get shiner after each wash. This fabric is organic in nature and beneficial for the skin.

Who Uses Kalamkari?

People who love organic fabric and clothing will love this kind of fabric. Hand made fabric gives you a feeling of satisfaction and knowing that it was made by human hands and not a machine.

Recommended Uses of Kalamkari Fabric:

Kalamkari fabric serves different purpose and uses. It can be used as wall hangings, wall paintings, decorative art, curtains, sarees, bedsheets, artwork, etc.

Kalamkari Fabric Beige Organic

How To Test Authencity of Kalamkari Fabric?

Genuine Kalamkari Fabric have a subtle smell of cow’s milk which is used during the process. However, you can make that go away by washing it with diluted vinegar.

Check out some unique fabrics in my shop.

My Style, My Way..

Mamta Motiyani

My objective is to give you a starting point and quick reference for you to move ahead. If you have still have quench for further knowledge, then you probably know where to look for.

Ikat Fabric with Mamta Motiyani

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 22:03:00 +0000

Ikat Fabric by the yard

Ikat Handloom Cotton Fabric Mustard Cream Red

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 16:17:00 +0000

You will love this new ikat fabric that I have added to my unique fabrics collection in my shop!

Ikat Fabric Handloom Cotton Mustard Cream and Red Designs

Check Out Other Posts for Ikat Fabric below:

Ikat Upholstery Fabric Part 1

Ikat Upholstery Fabric Part 2

Ikat Upholstery Fabric Part 3

The World of Ikat Fabric with Mamta

Rainbow Monster Plushie

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 03:15:00 +0000

Since I'm going to make the monster lovey, I thought, why not write the pattern for the monster itself and then I can combine the blanket to it. I just finished writing the pattern.

Rainbow Monster Plushie

Sexy Eyes Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 00:26:00 +0000

In August, I participated in a "Market Bag" gift exchange/ swap on Ravelry. After thinking about what design to choose, I finally decided that I would instead create a new design. So I made this crochet bag pattern which I proudly call "Sexy Eyes Bag". So without further ado, here we go. Tada....

Sexy Eyes Bag

Mamta Motiyani Pattern Featured

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 00:28:00 +0000

I'm so excited that one of my patterns is on the cover of "Inspired Crochet" magazine for their October, 2013 issue. Isn't that a treat? Thank you Kristi Simpson. I'm honoured to be a part of your magazine. Thanks to Afton Marie Photography" for her fabulous picture of my "Halloween Monster" hat which landed my design on the cover page. In case you're wondering, how it looks. Here it is:

Inspired Crochet Magazine October 2013 issue

Go get your copy now, http://www.inspiredcrochet.com/subscribe

Crochet Monster Lovey

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 23:16:00 +0000

Yeah, I'm making a monster lovey. I finished a monster amigurumi & now I'm on with the blankie part. I'm so excited, I feel like a child again. But then again, we all are always a child within. Maybe, that's why I made her to stick her tongue out like this :P, teeheee

I have yet to decide the name for this monster. But for the time being, I think, Rainbow monster will do. Here's her picture:

Rainbow Monster

What do you think?

Crochet Bracelets Bangles Patterns

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 12:37:00 +0000

Do you love unique colorful crochet jewelry? I do. Instead of wearing just gold, silver or metal jewelry (as is the tradition in India), I much rather prefer handmade crocheted jewelry or maybe paper jewelry at times. The hippie in me doesn't stop at making jewelry of all shapes and colors and what I love making the most are bangles. This small piece of jewelry can make any dull piece of clothing preppy. Here are some of my bangle patterns in case you would love ot make some of your own:

Bohemian Ruffles Bangle

Flora Bangle

Tyre Bangle

Simple Crochet Bangle

Frilly Stacking Bangle

Scalloped Bangle

The making of Papa Panda

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 12:35:00 +0000

Amanda The Panda

A few weeks ago, I designed this: "Amanda the Panda". It is a crochet pattern featuring a cute baby Panda amigurumi toy with a bamboo shoot in her hands. When I shared it on my Fanpage, one of my fans liked it so much that she wanted a larger version of the same Panda but without the bamboo shoot and arms stretching towards the sides as if it's giving a hug. She said that it reminded her of a Panda doll she had as a child. How cute is that! :)

Amanda is 6 inches tall in size. So I thought, why not double up the yarn and it will be 12 inches, the size that she needed for her Panda. But I realized after I started the project that it doesn't work that way. The size was smaller rather than being double even after I took 2 strands of the same yarn. Maybe, because some part of the design gets hidden on the wrong side of the crocheted piece.

My biggest mistake was trying to use Amanda's design to fit the larger Panda which didn't work as well. So I had to frog all my work so far completed. After doing this, I realized I would have to start a new design in itself instead of being stuck to the old one. Guess what? It worked and it would have taken me a little lesser time if only my daughter wouldn't stop playing with the Panda parts. ;)

Papa Panda is finally complete & Shaman is very happy with her new toy. I released the pattern 3 days ago & am very happy with how it turned out.

Tada!!!

Papa Panda

Meet Papa Panda, daddy to baby Amanda, He is huge, bulky and a little overbearing. But that's just his exterior. Inside, he is all gooey and doesn't like to tell anyone that he loves watching cartoons and eating chocolates among all other sweet things. He is a martial artist. If you ask him what is his style, he'll probably say, it's Pandafu. It is a style that he created using all moves of Kung- Fu and Panda moves. Don't tell him, but he loves to brag about it all the time in his Panda community.

Papa Panda Crochet PDF Pattern:

Facebookoholic & Yarnoholic

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:36:00 +0000

I tell you FB is addictive & so is yarn. Both these things together & I can waste a lot of time just looking at them. Do you spend hours & hours looking at yarns & oohing aahing over it? I do, just because I love looking at them. It's even more addicting than actually buying yarn, lol.

I've been at it since morning & can't seem to stop doing it & all the yarn sites aren't been helpful at all. They make me feel I don't have enough. Somebody help me, the yarn monster has grabbed my senses. I seriously need to get off this PC so I can get some patterns complete.

Meeting last years resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 13:15:00 +0000

Speaking about last year's resolutions, let's see how many I met so far.:

1) Daily plan: I wrote daily plans for a little more than 6 months. Most of the times, I met those plans. So I'm going to continue doing so this year as well.

2) Quality time with family: You can bet, I've spent a fulfilling year with both of them & enjoyed it thoroughly. So ditto to this this year as well.

3) For my baby: I've made a lot of crochet/ fabric clothing, toys, bedding, etc for Shaman. I sewed all things by hand. Yup, truely handmade. :) I keep on learning things by reading about baby care from this wonderful site & others. I'm going to continue doing this as well.

4)Write my crochet book: To be continued :P

5)Self publish 100 designs: :( I could publish only a few. So I'll carry this goal forward this year.

6)Geomancy: I can proudly say, I got rid of so many old stuff last year, I set a record for myself. :) I bought a bare minimum(considering that I'm a big shopoholic ;)). I got most of my remaining supplies & other things organized by getting them boxed up. Although, I can't say my space is free, it's much more organized than a warehouse, lol. So, here's a pat on my back. I plan to clear even more of my space this year. :)

7) Learn new arts/ crafts: I learned to block print on fabric last year.

I feel accomplished. :)

Monkey Chimpanzee Toy Amigurumi Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 02:34:00 +0000

Chimpanzee monkey toy

Monkey

This is a PDF Pattern and not the finished item.

The PDF pattern to make Chimp Champ. He is a champion of all chimpanzees. Be it a contest for eating the maximum number of bananas or the maximum number of lice, he wins it all. Oh! and how can I forget to mention the number of swooning female chimpanzees who especially love his muscle power and you know what ;). They all wish he notices them one day and hopefully choose them as his alpha female. All he does to deter them is smile with his lopsided grin.(cause you know - He's shy)

Finished Size:
8" tall
5" wide

A pattern in PDF format will be emailed to you within 24 hours of purchase to the email address on your invoice. The detailed instructions will have step to step instructions on how to make this amigurumi. Please contact me in case if you face any difficulties.

Skill level: Easy

Snail Mail Crochet Soft Toy Amigurumi

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:25:00 +0000

I made this new design, a cute snail toy whom I've lovingly named 'Snail Mail'. I've already written it's pattern, but still need to work on drafting it in a PDF form so I can sell it. Hopefully, I'll get it written down within a day or 2. How do you like it?

Snail Mail

Custom Design Fabric Block Printed Butterflies on Voile Fabric

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:18:00 +0000

Recently, I got some wooden blocks for making custom block printed fabrics. How could I not buy a block with a butterfly print? I love butterflies and want to ensure that I make my own butterflies!

Finally, I block printed this lovely voile cotton fabric. It is a work of precision, perfection and labor intensive. I have listed this beautiful fabric in my shop.

Butterfly Fabric

Custom Made Butterflies Block Printed Fabric

Butterfly Cotton Fabric

You can also check out other custom made prints on fabric which I did using block prints.

Ikat Upholstery Fabric - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:17:00 +0000

These new and unique Ikat Fabrics yet to be listed on my website: Designs by Mamta

Many of these beautiful ikat upholstery fabric are sold out. Thank you all my customers. However, don't be disappointed! In the Part 2 of Ikat Upholstery Fabric, and Part 3 of Ikat Upholstery Fabric , you will find the latest collection of all my unique and one of a kind ikat fabric that I have in my shop, Designs by Mamta

By the way, did you watch The World of Ikat Fabric with Mamta?

Indian Block Print Fabric - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 21:44:00 +0000

Talking about Block Print fabrics of India, there are a lot of ways of block printing done here. The million and one choices can confuse a buyer when he/ she is set out to buy a block print fabric. I've been asked time and again the differences between the block prints that I offer in my shop. So, here's a detailed explanation of them. Broadly classified, block print fabrics can be of 2 varieties: handmade and machine made. There are a lot of handmade types and most handmade types are also available in machine made type of block printed fabrics. Usually, the handmade ones are more expensive. The only reason being, it's made by human hands and more the time it took to make it, more the price.

Bagh Print of Bagh(Madhya Pradesh)

Let us start with Bagh print. Bagh print is a native print done only in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh by their rural population( the Khatri community). This print is named after a small tribal town named Bagh in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. "Bagh" means "Garden" in Hindi, maybe that's why this print is called Bagh print.

This print usually consists of nature, plants, flowers, trees, nature in general. It is made using hand carved wooden blocks instead of being printed by machines. Each block is made by expert crafts person. It is then used to print different types of fabrics like, cotton, silk & jute using handmade vegetable dyes. The process of this type of hand block printing is long and painstaking as the fabric goes through several times of washing, printing & drying to get it's best colors, softness, quality and other great attributes. Mostly, these fabrics are used as saris, home decor, etc.

Dabu Print of Bagru(Rajasthan)

Next is Block Printing of Bagru in Rajasthan. This process uses wax- resist technique to block print. Usually the motifs of this type of printing are big and bold against a white/ off-white background. The colors are usually red, black which can be vegetable or chemical dyed. The prints used are mostly floral or of animals, bird found in this place.

Screen Printed Block Print

Then comes the garden variety type, the screen printed block print fabrics which is the half-sister of the handmade type of block printing. This printing is machine made(screenprinted) & mostly avaialble for much lesser price than the handmade ones. this is available in all colors, designs and on different types of fabrics.

I will will adding more unique and interesting block prints of India soon.

How To Print On Fabric At Home. Economical Way.

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:52:00 +0000

How To Print On Fabric At Home. Economical Way.

We all are fascinated by different things in life. Some of them, we like to the point of obsession. You can say this about me when it comes to block printing. ;) I've been fascinated by it so much that almost every third fabric in my shop is a block printed fabric of some kind. Although, I love it, there are times I don't get the design of my liking. So I came up with an idea of making my own printing techniques: i.e. Block Printed Designs.

Two days ago, I took a decision to take some serious action. I started gathering my tools for block printing. My mother always says: "If you don't have what you need to make something, you can always make do with what you already have. You will realize that you have it only when you look closely at it." She means that if you want to make something, you don't require fancy tools. All you need to do is search for things or equipments that are already present at our home which can be used as those tools. It took me a full day to get all my tools in one place.

So here are my tools:

A stencil
A potato
An okra (Ladyfinger in English)
Brushes
A sharp cutter
Voile fabric
Fabric paints
Fabric pen
A cardboard
Some scrap fabric to clean your hands, brushes, etc

Procedure:
First, I used some scrap fabric to brush up my skills as I've done fabric block printing only once before. Here's what I came up with:

Then, came the grand finale. I finally made my own handmade block prints on a lovely light as a feather voile fabric. Here's what I came up with:

For this print here, I used a stencil and a brush. It required great patience, finishing, precision and spoiling for several yards of fabric before I could accomplish this design. I have listed this damask fabric in my shop for those are interested in it.

Hand Painted Fabric Custom Block Print Damask Tree On Voile

Hand Painted Fabric Damask Tree On Voile

For this one, I used a potato. I made a freehand design on the potato and made it into a stencil. I know, I won't be able to use this stamp forever. But, it didn't stop me from experimenting with it because it's fun.:

For my third print, I used an actual vegetable. Voila! the great multi-purpose okra or lady finger! Not only do I love eating them, it is a great tool in getting a fabulous block prints.

To view more pictures of these block prints, go to my fanpage. These are just a few examples. I'll be making more of different designs very soon. Till then, I'm off to my block printing laboratory. :)

My Resolutions 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:51:00 +0000

I believe that all goals are important, big, small or very small. We just need to write it down which makes things much easier & then carry it out. When we have it in writing, it clears our mind and we know how much time we should really put into it. Thus saving us time, energy, etc because time saved is time earned & then we can do whatever we want with that extra time.

One of my resolution is to make a daily plan & try to stick to it as much as possible. I know that it may not be possible everyday. When I write down what I want to do, the picture becomes much clearer than if I leave my life to the fates of time. So resolution 2012 is taking the horns of life in my hands & running my life, each day at a time of my 24 precious hours per day the way I want to mould it. I want to be able to carve my destiny rather than being a slave to an unplanned life. So I plan to live in NOW starting NOW.

Second, I'm going to give quality time to myself, my hubby & our baby. I think, the best way would be to celebrate each day with them, like one of my sweet friend Marianne says, "It's mandatory" :). When I say celebrate, I literally mean it because time spent loving is time worth spent indeed. I'm going to make a lot of cute crocheted stuff for my young one, read and educate myself more on pregnancy, read a lot of positive books.

Another important thing that I would like to achieve this year would be the completion & publication of my crochet book that I've been planning since the last 2 years. I already have a few physical designs made but nothing done beyond that. So, this year, I'm going to work full force into completing it & getting it published. Ask me the topic? It's a secret... you'll know it when the book is out.

Another related thing, I want to self publish atleast a 100 patterns this year. I have so many incomplete patterns that I've lost count & I seriously need to get my butt moving in doing this. Oh! & ofcourse, get copyrights on these patterns before I self-publish them instead of the other way around like I did for my other patterns. I wouldn't be a fool again to self-publish it & face copycats enjoying my hard work's worth claiming it as their own design. You can say, I'm pissed off, right? Well, yes I'm. But, I also say, what goes around comes around....

I intend to get rid of my unnecessary old things, try not to buy new things(unless necessary) & create a lot of free space. Last, but not the least, learn new arts & crafts in the time that I've saved after doing all the above mentioned activities.

So here's my resolutions for 2012, what are yours?

Bloodsport Paper Beads

noreply@blogger.com (Mamta Motiyani) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:46:00 +0000

Last night, my crazy, creative, childish mind and hands started playing havoc with colors. There were sketch pens, glitter glues in various hues, poster colors, acrylic colors, brushes , et al flying around in every imaginable corner of my home. Guess, what I was doing with them?

You think these beads are ART? Mwahahahaa. I was trying to destroy the colors at hand in the best possible way, my hands were all glued with glitter, so was my college style bag where a long spray of blue paint just splashed accidentally and on the dress which I had worn, a large copper glitter glue dot showed when I finished painting, out of nowhere. It was fun, I tell you & no, I was not trying to create art. Believe it or not, I painted and then smeared it all away, destroying my paintings on the beads to nothing but blobs of paints and I enjoyed it thoroughly, spreading different glues, paints, & all that I have in surplus stock.

All these beads were made while watching Jean-Claude Van Damme in "Bloodsport". I kinda think, that the fighting spirit must have got to me and whenever a neck, leg or hand was broken in the kumite, my hands must have felt like killing the bead and washing it in different colored blood (paint). The destroying spirit can be cool sometimes, expecially when the result is so fab and harmless, don't you think? ;)