I'm sure we're all aware that we North Americans aren't the only ones who quilt - and I'm sure most of us know that North Americans didn't "invent" quilting (although I read a blog post two or three years ago where at least one of us was convinced that we had!).



But did you know that there is a quilting tradition in Pakistan (where they are called Rallis) that is perhaps thousands of years old, and that the men of Pakistan continue to use those same patterns for their quilts even to the present day? I didn't! These days women as well as men continue to make rallis, all through India and Pakistan.



But don't think I'm so smart - I didn't know any of this until I read an article in Fabrications last year. What I'm amazed by is how "modern" these ancient traditional patterns look.

And also *ahem* somewhat familiar?


Cross border shopping, anyone?

:)