Under the leadership of Mrs. Mansi Agarwal, Chairperson, FICCI FLO Kolkata, 2026–27, hosted TIED IN THREAD – An Immersive Session of Photo Embroidery on 14 August 2026 at Hyatt Centric, Kolkata. Conducted by Ushvi of Trinkettree, Mumbai, the workshop brought together photography, embroidery, design, and individual creativity in an engaging artistic experience.
The session introduced participants to the distinctive process of working embroidery onto photographic prints. Instead of leaving the photograph untouched, participants were invited to intervene creatively, using stencils, needles, colourful threads, and carefully considered patterns to add their own artistic interpretation to the image.
The transformation unfolded gradually. As participants began stitching, selected portions of the photographs acquired new lines, accents, textures, and colours. The threadwork created an intriguing contrast between the printed image and the handmade additions, giving each finished piece a character distinctly different from the original photograph.
A significant strength of the workshop was its accessibility. Participants did not need to be trained artists or experienced embroiderers. With guidance from Ushvi, they were able to understand the technique and develop their work according to their own imagination. Choices of colour, stitch placement, pattern, density, and detailing allowed every participant to arrive at an individual interpretation.
The workshop also welcomed 10 women from FLO Kolkata’s Skilling Centre, who participated alongside FLO members and learnt the technique through hands-on practice. Their inclusion extended the initiative beyond creative engagement, providing exposure to a specialised textile skill that can potentially be developed further into handcrafted products and livelihood-oriented creative opportunities.
This made the Textile component of the initiative particularly meaningful, while reinforcing FLO Kolkata’s commitment to creating pathways for learning and capability-building. The Visual Arts initiative found expression through the reinterpretation of photographic imagery, while the Mental Wellness dimension emerged through the unhurried, tactile nature of the activity. The process encouraged concentration, patience, and a constructive creative pause from routine.
The experience extended beyond the workshop itself. Participants created personalised handcrafted pieces that could be framed as artworks or given as meaningful gifts. A photograph, already associated with a memory or visual moment, acquired an additional layer of personal significance through the participant’s own handiwork.
TIED IN THREAD demonstrated that creative expression can be both accessible and transformative. A photograph, a length of thread, a few colours, and the willingness to experiment became the foundation for an entirely new artistic possibility. In keeping with FLO Kolkata’s “Power Up” ethos, the workshop encouraged women to explore their creativity with confidence, acquire new skills, embrace experimentation, and experience the quiet satisfaction of bringing an idea to life through their own hands.
Key Takeaways
- Discovered a new creative medium: Members experienced photo embroidery as an engaging meeting point between photography and textile craftsmanship.
- Explored the versatility of thread: Participants saw how colour, stitching, pattern, and texture could alter and enrich a photographic image.
- Reinterpreted familiar imagery: The activity encouraged members to look at photographs differently and add their own visual perspective.
- Developed patience and precision: Planning the design and executing individual stitches required attention, care, and a steady creative approach.
- Created space for mental rejuvenation: The focused hands-on activity provided a constructive pause from everyday responsibilities and distractions.
- Encouraged individual artistic choices: Members were free to determine their colours, patterns, stitch placement, and overall treatment of the image.
- Connected craft with contemporary creativity: Traditional embroidery techniques were given a fresh context through their application to photographic prints.
- Produced personal keepsakes: Each completed piece carried the participant’s individual creative imprint and could be framed or gifted.
- Made artistic participation inclusive: The guided format allowed members to explore the technique regardless of their previous experience with art or embroidery.
- Powered up creative confidence: The workshop encouraged members to experiment freely, trust their instincts, and find fulfilment in creating something uniquely their own.
Impact & Outcome
Around 50 participants took part in the Tied in Thread session, where they were introduced to the delicate art of Photo Embroidery, bringing together photography, needlework, colour, and individual creativity. The workshop presented embroidery in a fresh and imaginative format, allowing participants to work on photographic prints and enrich them through carefully planned threadwork.
Beyond learning a new artistic technique, the session created an opportunity for participants to slow down and become absorbed in a focused, hands-on creative pursuit. The workshop enabled members to experience a distinctive textile-art technique through guided learning, experimentation, and individual creation, while fostering meaningful engagement with contemporary craft and artistic expression.