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by Anjana Gamage

Tamara and her two daughters with some of their creations.

Unlike other children her age, she never asked for a doll or toys to play with. Her fascination was for a tiny item that she could do magic with - a needle. Because sewing was her hobby. Today it has become the main income not only for her, but for her daughters as well.

Tamara Jayasundara Hettige, Home Science teacher at Gampaha Takshila Maha Vidyalaya along with her two daughters Upeka and Madusha, are now relaxing after a tough few weeks of preparing a hand craft exhibition that has become an annual event.

A cross-stitch creation

Titled "Sankalana 2002" , the exhibition now in its fifth year was held at the National Art Gallery in Colombo from October 17 to 19 and was put together with the help of her students. The exhibition proved a lot. The love and talent of the mother and daughters, a teacher's endorsement to upgrade the skills of her capable students and the means to an income for rural women who were fascinated with art and craft.

About 1,000 items including cross-stitch, tapestry-quick stitch, cushion covers, children wear, pillow cases, bags, dolls, bed spreads, wall hangers, paper tole, brooch and patchwork creations were on display at the exhibition."I have been in the teaching profession for 25 years. It's a pleasure to work with children, especially when it comes to a subject like sewing. Everyday we can see students come up with something very creative. Most of their work are ingenious," she said.

A scenery made out of paper tole

Tamara, whose dreams of a sporting career was shattered after an injury as a teenager and who now walks with the aid of a walking stick was trained in patchwork under Kamini Vitharana. Taking life easy most of the time, she says that when she's confined to a chair her fingers are busy with a needle. "That's how I turn all these creative pieces", she explains proudly.

The eldest daughter Upeka is engaged in the craft profession fulltime and the youngest daughter Madusha, who is also interested in sewing, is a year 11 student at Rathnawali Balika Maha Vidyalaya in Gampaha. "I would like to assist those who are interested in sewing or patchwork as a self-employment. I can teach them free of charge at my weekend classes", she said.

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