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Join sukoon space and Rafia Shafiq of dhaga art for phulkari in the park, an outdoor embroidery workshop rooted in storytelling, cultural memory, and mindful making.
Phulkari, meaning “flower work,” is a South Asian textile tradition created through the darning stitch, with embroidered motifs often carrying stories of family, place, identity, and community. through this hands-on session, rafia will share the history and cultural significance of phulkari while guiding participants through the process of creating their own embroidered piece.
Participants will work on a pre-drawn phulkari-inspired motif, choose their own colour palette, and learn the traditional darning stitch in a relaxed outdoor setting. this workshop is an invitation to slow down, connect with others, and experience the meditative rhythm of stitching by hand.
All materials are included. no embroidery experience is needed. We will also be working on a communal art piece together.
Light snacks and refreshments included.
Materials Included
wooden hoop
cotton embroidery threads sourced from Lahore, Pakistan
khaddar fabric with a pre-made phulkari design sourced from Haripur Hazara, Pakistan
needles
scissors
Artist Bio
Rafia Shafiq is a diaspora artist, textile educator, and founder of Dhaga Art, a practice dedicated to the preservation and contemporary exploration of Phulkari embroidery. Originally from Pakistan and now based in the Greater Toronto Area, she learned Phulkari from women artisans in Northern Pakistan and has spent the past seven years sharing the tradition through workshops and community-based programming.
She has led more than 50 workshops across the GTA in collaboration with museums, galleries, municipalities, educational institutions, and cultural organizations, including the Royal Ontario Museum, The Textile Museum of Canada, Contemporary Textile Studio Co-op, and the University of Toronto. Through Dhaga Art, Rafia aims to make Phulkari accessible to diverse audiences while honouring the artisans, histories, and communities that continue to sustain this tradition.
Weather Note
this is an outdoor event. if the weather does not cooperate, we’ll contact attendees in advance with any updates or changes.
Join sukoon space and Rafia Shafiq of dhaga art for phulkari in the park, an outdoor embroidery workshop rooted in storytelling, cultural memory, and mindful making.
Phulkari, meaning “flower work,” is a South Asian textile tradition created through the darning stitch, with embroidered motifs often carrying stories of family, place, identity, and community. through this hands-on session, rafia will share the history and cultural significance of phulkari while guiding participants through the process of creating their own embroidered piece.
Participants will work on a pre-drawn phulkari-inspired motif, choose their own colour palette, and learn the traditional darning stitch in a relaxed outdoor setting. this workshop is an invitation to slow down, connect with others, and experience the meditative rhythm of stitching by hand.
All materials are included. no embroidery experience is needed. We will also be working on a communal art piece together.
Light snacks and refreshments included.
Materials Included
wooden hoop
cotton embroidery threads sourced from Lahore, Pakistan
khaddar fabric with a pre-made phulkari design sourced from Haripur Hazara, Pakistan
needles
scissors
Artist Bio
Rafia Shafiq is a diaspora artist, textile educator, and founder of Dhaga Art, a practice dedicated to the preservation and contemporary exploration of Phulkari embroidery. Originally from Pakistan and now based in the Greater Toronto Area, she learned Phulkari from women artisans in Northern Pakistan and has spent the past seven years sharing the tradition through workshops and community-based programming.
She has led more than 50 workshops across the GTA in collaboration with museums, galleries, municipalities, educational institutions, and cultural organizations, including the Royal Ontario Museum, The Textile Museum of Canada, Contemporary Textile Studio Co-op, and the University of Toronto. Through Dhaga Art, Rafia aims to make Phulkari accessible to diverse audiences while honouring the artisans, histories, and communities that continue to sustain this tradition.
Weather Note
this is an outdoor event. if the weather does not cooperate, we’ll contact attendees in advance with any updates or changes.