Free Online Kasuti Embroidery Tutorial - An Analysis of the Patterns in Session 3

As, mentioned in the previous post, there are similarities in the working of the 4 designs in session 3.  For ease of comparison, let's place the 4 together.

Look at the lines I've circled. They connect 1 block of pattern to the next. You can repeat the pattern any number of times using these connecting lines. These lines dictate why and where you should take a side-trip.
Now, let's examine each sample in turn.

Sample 1: The purple portion, below the connecting line, in the first section of the pattern, leads to a dead end and so, it can only be a side-trip. All the purple lines are dead ends. This decides the path the main journey should take.

Sample 2: Here, when we first look at the pattern with an inexperienced eye, the obvious path for the main journey would appear to be the entire upper portion and then the entire lower portion. 

What will happen when we do that? 

We'll end up working the connecting lines a second time (overlapping) on the return journey.

So, the only way to work this, is to treat the lower half of each betel nut flower as a side-trip and use the connecting line to reach the next flower.

Sample 3:  Here's an alternate path. B=D means, B is the same point as D.  You can work the swastiks the same as in sample 3.3; or work them separately, if you want to use a different colour. 

Sample 4: Here's an alternate method. You can complete the lower part of each gopur (side-trip) and use the connecting line to get to the next. Complete the portion above the connecting lines on the return journey.

Locate connecting lines, understand its role and kasuti is a breeze.

Hope this clears any doubts you may have regarding the tutorials we've done so far. Let me know if you have any problems.

Free Online Kasuti Embroidery Tutorial Sample 3.4 - Conch Shell Border

This design is worked on a similar principle as all the designs in session 3. Locate a clear path for the onward journey. Work all the side-trips on your return journey.

Here are the steps to tackling this pattern. Do note that this is not the only way. It's just the way I'd do it.

Step 1: Start at 1 and follow graph until you reach 2 from the other side. Your onward journey is complete.

Step 2: Return journey starts at 'a'. 'e2' to the part indicated in the image below is a major side-trip and so is the section A-B. 

Notice that all the samples in session 3 have huge sections of the pattern treated as side-trips.

Do leave your comments about this session.

Free Online Kasuti Embroidery Tutorial Sample 3.3 - Swastik Border

Working this border is not as complicated as it might seem. Just identify the main trip and the side- trips.  Remember, no overlaps.

Step 1: The figure below shows the path I've chosen as my main trip. Yours need not be the same. But this, is the easiest path, and also the least confusing. It ends at 41.

Step 2: Here's where we are going to get confused. So I've changed the colour of the main trip to blue and I've used orange and brown to indicate side trips. With this, we complete the lower half of the design.

Note: If you want to use a different colour for the swastiks, at 44, go on to 51 ...54 and then 61...64, 65.

Step 3: Now there's not going to be any more confusion about main and side-trips. So, for ease of reference, I've changed the colour of all completed portions and the main journey to blue in the image below. So, only the incomplete side-trips will be in brown and orange.

Hope you find this tutorial useful. If you happen to come across any errors, please let me know.

Free Online Kasuti Embroidery Tutorial Sample 3.2 - Betel-nut String of Flowers

Working a single betelnut flower was part of assignment 2; and it's fairly simple once you know where to start. But working a string of flowers is a wee bit complicated.

Observe the image below. Pay special to the connecting lines between the flowers.  I've deliberately alternated one and two lines between flowers, because they demand complete concentration.


To determine the route to follow for the onward journey, just trace the pattern with a pencil. There is just one rule you have to follow.

No overlaps.

Step 1: This is the route I have chosen.  I've stopped and 50. This is not necessarily the only way. You can can go all the way up to 2.

 Step 2: 50 in step 1 is 51 here. You start your return trip here. Take care of all the side trips. I've used numbers to illustrate how to work the last flower.  Simply repeat the procedure until you reach 2.

No matter which route you choose for the forward journey, remember to take care of all the side trips in the return journey.

Hope this helps.  Let me know how you've fared with this tutorial.

Free Online Kasuti Embroidery Tutorial Sample 3.1 - Conch Shell Border

Here's Sample 3.1 - The first sample in session 3.

This pattern is quite easy- once the basic nuances of kasuti are mastered.

I've used red lines to indicate the main journey and purple to indicate all the side trips.

If you have any trouble working this design, let me know.