While most artists create masterpieces with paint and brushes, 66-year-old Khalidah Asri crafts stunning works of art using thread and textures of fabric scraps from second-hand clothing.
“I’ve always loved painting, but I’m not very skilled at drawing,” she says. “With art quilting, I can be an artist without needing to sketch,” says the mother of four children aged between 36 and 45.
An art quilt represents an original interpretation of a concept or idea, rather than simply following a pre-existing pattern.
Khalidah is a self-taught art quilter who has been quilting since 2015. She has had her works showcased in numerous art exhibitions, including the Malaysiana Big Heart exhibition organised by Yayasan Arshad Ayub at Segaris Art Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
In fact, until May 5, she will be showcasing her work at the ESG Art Exhibition at KL Sentral.
But sewing is not new to the grandmother of 15 from Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
A portrait created by Khalidah using threads and fabrics.
Patience and passion
Khalidah’s introduction to fabric art began long before she discovered quilting. She began her journey as a tailor in 1986 with one goal: To supplement her family’s income.
What started as a commitment soon became her passion. From sewing at home, Khalidah, who holds a diploma in fashion design and dressmaking from a fashion design institute in Kuala Lumpur, moved on to work in a boutique.
Her deep interest in tailoring eventually led her to establish a sewing academy in Labuan, where she taught dressmaking for six years until 1992.
Upon returning to KL, Khalidah continued working in the tailoring industry for several years by fulfilling custom orders for a local fashion brand.
Even when she finally decided to retire from tailoring, Khalidah found that she could not let go of her passion for threads and needles.
The front of Khalida’s ‘Fall in Mizumoto Park’. Her meticulous work is something to be admired.
“Sewing is still my passion, even though I am no longer a tailor,” she says.
That’s when she discovered a new passion and explored the more artistic side of sewing. Rather than making garments, the retired tailor found joy in quilting.
Her years as a dressmaker taught her to be meticulous, precise and detailed as well as to be mindful of the innate qualities of the fabrics she used.
This background knowledge made her transition into quilting relatively smooth.
“I started with patchwork quilting and gradually fell in love with the intricate and expressive world of art quilting,” she says.
Khalidah says art quilting allows her to unleash the artist in her – something she had always wanted to explore.
Back of the intricate Fall in Mizumoto Park quilt.
By selecting fabrics, layering them, and using freestyle quilting techniques she picked up, she is able to transform images she has formed in her mind into stitched quilted artworks.
“Over time, my passion for creating portraits using fabric grew,” she says, admitting that she did face challenges in the beginning.
“It was a lot of trial and error and continuous practice,” she admits.
To refine her skills and update herself on different techniques, she turned to online resources, including YouTube tutorials and blogs by textile artists. She also joined international quilting groups.
With dedication and consistent practice, she cultivated a distinctive style that made her creations uniquely expressive and rich in detail.
A close-up shot shows the complex thread trails in the artwork.Stitching layers
Khalidah specialises in fabric portraits, skilfully layering pieces of textile to capture depth, emotion, and detail with remarkable precision.
Her process is as intricate as are her finished pieces. Every quilted portrait needs careful planning, which begins with selecting the right fabric.
“The challenge is always finding the right fabric as not all fabrics are suited for quilting,” she explains.
“I source materials from craft stores, dye my own fabrics, and even look for unique textures in thrift shops,” she says.
For her, fabric scraps hold great value, regardless of their size. Even the smallest pieces of fabric are carefully sorted by colour and stored in jars for future use.
Once she has found her fabric, Khalidah begins layering them, carefully guided by a recalibrated photo of her subject. This image becomes the foundation for her composition.
Small, precisely cut pieces are glued together on a paper base, gradually forming a lifelike image. Once the glue has dried, she will remove the paper and attach the artwork to a quilt batting (the layer of insulation between the quilt top and back of your quilt), before working on the quilt pattern and freestyle sewing patterns onto the piece.
The entire process can take months, she explains, depending on the complexity of the work.
“Patience is the key to art quilting,” she emphasises. “It’s not something you can rush.”
Patchwork treats
While many people slow down as they age, Khalidah finds that quilting keeps her mind active and her hands busy.
“Sewing helps ease the boredom and loneliness I sometimes feel – even when my children and grandchildren are around,” she shares.
Her daily routine reflects her balanced approach to her craft.
“I usually work on my quilts after my grandchildren leave for school and the household chores are done. I take a break at midday, and, if I have time and energy, I continue in the afternoon,” she shares.
Khalidah creates a world of her own in her mini studio at home.
Recognising the importance of rest, she pauses whenever she feels strain in her eyes or hands.
“I’ll stop, do some housework, or go for a walk with my husband before resuming,” she says.
Though quilting is often seen as a solitary craft, Khalidah has found a sense of community through social media, by being an active member of various quilting groups on Facebook, both local and international.
“These groups are great for sharing ideas, techniques, and resources,” she says.
Beyond virtual interactions, she joins “Patchwork Retreats”, gatherings organised by local groups where quilters meet in person to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other.
Even after years of experience, Khalidah remains eager to learn. Currently, she is experimenting with fabric dyeing to expand her creative possibilities.
“You don’t always have to use commercial fabric paints. Natural dyes from kitchen ingredients like onion skins and tea leaves can create beautiful organic colours,” she shares, enthusiastically.
This eco-friendly approach aligns with her philosophy of sustainability and resourcefulness.
Looking ahead, Khalidah hopes to see art quilting gain more recognition in Malaysia.
“It is more widely appreciated internationally, but I believe it has great potential here too,” she says, adding that she dreams of having her work showcased in global exhibitions and inspiring younger generations to take up quilting.
Her advice to older adults who are hesitant to start a new hobby?
“Find something that brings you joy and keeps your mind engaged. Art quilting, or any form of creative expression, can be incredibly fulfilling,” she concludes.
