Sourcing stuff...

Finding great materials that fit the Madame Hall aesthetic is something that I love! Treasures are found daily; in Bhuj, in surrounding villages, from textile dealers and from the communities in exotic, dusty and remote locations on the outskirts of Kutch.
And it doesn't stop there! When I visit Australia, Tessuti is always a 'go to' destination for quality laces and sewing notions. Greenfields sees me leaving with a huge bag of interfacing, zips, buttons etc.....And while on holiday in Lithuania last year, I bought superb linen and beautiful linen lace.
When inspiration hits, an eclectic range of stunning materials is all I need to create some workroom magic!

And just because I bought something ages ago, doesn't mean it gets forgotten! This week saw me delving into my lace basket...that Lithuanian lace I bought a year ago is something I was saving for just the right material. I found this wonderful, floppy off white cotton in one of Bhuj's oldest fabric emporiums. Absolute perfection teamed with Baltic lace and shell buttons from Greenfields in Sydney!

Bharat bhai's shop in the heart of the Shroff Bazaar, near my workroom is a treasure trove of delights! For great variety and all manner of quirky bits and pieces, his shop has been an endless source of inspiration

When the Jat ladies come to town, there's always some fabulous pieces to purchase.....!

Getting out and about in Ramjans auto rickshaw, my preferred mode of travel! I love the leisurely pace....And finding new communities to visit.

Village life, vibrant and full of colour! This young lady did the tattoos on my feet. The 'colour' she used came from the charcoal scraped from the underside of a clay cooking pot!

Amazing embroidery!

And after a day out, it's back behind the machine.....with ideas and inspiration a plenty!