Quilts Across Ages: The Enduring Legacy of Punjab’s Artisans

APP

Islamabad: Amidst the cold waves and enveloping fog, quilt makers were found meticulously stitching handcrafted quilts on the rooftops of their workshops, catering to customers nationwide, including those in Punjab cities. Shops bustled with activity, seeing a surge in orders and brisk business.

“While there’s an array of cheaper, lighter, and more compact machine-made blankets available in malls, customers in Punjab still lean towards the traditional, handmade ‘razai’ or cotton comforters,” reported a private news channel.

Traditional artisans were fervently engrossed in crafting cozy quilts for the impending winter season as demand soared with the plummeting temperatures in the city, noted a Lahori resident.

A seasoned quilt-maker, boasting over three decades in the profession, shared insights into managing the increased workload during winter by enlisting the help of home-based women quilters.

An entrepreneur entrenched in the bedsheets and quilts business highlighted, “Traditional quilts remain the preferred choice among consumers in Punjab. We churn out three to five quilts daily. During winters, our focus shifts to crafting and filling cotton in quilts, while the rest of the year is devoted to making pillows and mattresses.”

“Winter doubles as the wedding season, and older individuals, particularly mothers, favor gifting these traditional products to their daughters,” remarked another citizen.

A vendor specializing in ready-made quilts acknowledged the impact of polyester quilts and imported blankets on the traditional business but emphasized the continued reliance of Punjabi families on them.

A quilt shop owner in Faisalabad remarked, “We experience a surge in business every winter, already receiving orders from the neighboring regions. Like every year, we’re dedicated to earning our livelihood for the rest of the year during this season.”