Applique term is derived from French and Latin verbs appliquer and applicare both means to join or attach.
It is believed that Applique technique originated from a need to beautify worn out items to extend their life. To make torn fabric usable again, the craftsmen would add patches of different materials on top of existing base and that's how applique was discovered.
There are two variants to this technique: applique: where patches of cloth are cut and patched on top of a base cloth and reverse applique: where two are kept on top of each other and then the top fabric is then cut out into interesting shapes to reveal the bottom layer, before they both are stitched together.
Traditionally and heavily practiced in Pipli, Oddisha for creating banners in Lord Jaganatha Rath Yatra since 12th century. Today applique is heavily popular in several regions of India like Saurashtra, Kutch, Barmer etc. It slowly made its way into modern living to create fun artifacts that include home linens, dresses, sarees etc.
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