I have been diligently working on my mola. (What is a mola? Update 1. Update 2.) Besides photos, I have two things to share about that progress:
- I am truly getting better at stitching with all this practice. My points are pointier. My curves are curvier. My seams are neater. My stitches are more delicate. Of course, this means that the first layer or two looks terrible to me now, but I'm just keeping moving forward. After all, done is better than perfect!
- No one knows what a mola is. Working on it in public — airplanes and airports, hotels, trains and train stations — means that people ask me about it. I say, "It's a mola." They say, "Huh?" Except that's not 100% true. On my most recent flight a woman leaned across the aisle and asked me, "Is that a mola?" I was flabbergasted! It turns out that she's a mola collector. She was delighted to find someone making a modern one and immediately asked me if I was a Kuna Indian. She was very knowledgeable about molas. It was a great conversation!
And so now that I am confident that you (a) will cut me some slack on my poor stitching and (b) know what a mola is, here are the photos of where things stand right now:
I'm really enjoying the puzzle of designing the patterns and colors as I go, along with learning a new technical skill! Can't wait to see where it will be in another month or two!!
Thanks for stopping by!
My father-in-law brought molas back from his business trips, so we are lucky to have several. A Photoshop class I took years ago had a unit on making digital molas. Fun. See, there really are some people out there who understand your enthusiasm! Keep up the good work!
My father-in-law brought molas back from his business trips, so we are lucky to have several. A Photoshop class I took years ago had a unit on making digital molas. Fun. See, there really are some people out there who understand your enthusiasm! Keep up the good work!
My father-in-law brought molas back from his business trips, so we are lucky to have several. A Photoshop class I took years ago had a unit on making digital molas. Fun. See, there really are some people out there who understand your enthusiasm! Keep up the good work!
My father-in-law brought molas back from his business trips, so we are lucky to have several. A Photoshop class I took years ago had a unit on making digital molas. Fun. See, there really are some people out there who understand your enthusiasm! Keep up the good work!
My father-in-law brought molas back from his business trips, so we are lucky to have several. A Photoshop class I took years ago had a unit on making digital molas. Fun. See, there really are some people out there who understand your enthusiasm! Keep up the good work!
My father-in-law brought molas back from his business trips, so we are lucky to have several. A Photoshop class I took years ago had a unit on making digital molas. Fun. See, there really are some people out there who understand your enthusiasm! Keep up the good work!
Beautifully done! I have a few Molas from my visit to the Kuna Yala tribe in Panama. I love that you are able to extend your creativity and mastery to Molas. Cheering you on 😉
Beautifully done! I have a few Molas from my visit to the Kuna Yala tribe in Panama. I love that you are able to extend your creativity and mastery to Molas. Cheering you on 😉
Beautifully done! I have a few Molas from my visit to the Kuna Yala tribe in Panama. I love that you are able to extend your creativity and mastery to Molas. Cheering you on 😉
Beautifully done! I have a few Molas from my visit to the Kuna Yala tribe in Panama. I love that you are able to extend your creativity and mastery to Molas. Cheering you on 😉
Beautifully done! I have a few Molas from my visit to the Kuna Yala tribe in Panama. I love that you are able to extend your creativity and mastery to Molas. Cheering you on 😉
Beautifully done! I have a few Molas from my visit to the Kuna Yala tribe in Panama. I love that you are able to extend your creativity and mastery to Molas. Cheering you on 😉
I have a large collection of molas. I have spent time on the San Blas Islands and did a lot of collecting while I was there. The Kuna people are some of the most gentle and kind people I have ever met. I really love the place.
I have a large collection of molas. I have spent time on the San Blas Islands and did a lot of collecting while I was there. The Kuna people are some of the most gentle and kind people I have ever met. I really love the place.
I have a large collection of molas. I have spent time on the San Blas Islands and did a lot of collecting while I was there. The Kuna people are some of the most gentle and kind people I have ever met. I really love the place.
I have a large collection of molas. I have spent time on the San Blas Islands and did a lot of collecting while I was there. The Kuna people are some of the most gentle and kind people I have ever met. I really love the place.
I have a large collection of molas. I have spent time on the San Blas Islands and did a lot of collecting while I was there. The Kuna people are some of the most gentle and kind people I have ever met. I really love the place.
I have a large collection of molas. I have spent time on the San Blas Islands and did a lot of collecting while I was there. The Kuna people are some of the most gentle and kind people I have ever met. I really love the place.
The versatility of your craft/art passions and pursuits is inspiring! It helps justify my own need to do so many different things. And you complete them! This one is just so beautiful.
The versatility of your craft/art passions and pursuits is inspiring! It helps justify my own need to do so many different things. And you complete them! This one is just so beautiful.
The versatility of your craft/art passions and pursuits is inspiring! It helps justify my own need to do so many different things. And you complete them! This one is just so beautiful.
The versatility of your craft/art passions and pursuits is inspiring! It helps justify my own need to do so many different things. And you complete them! This one is just so beautiful.
The versatility of your craft/art passions and pursuits is inspiring! It helps justify my own need to do so many different things. And you complete them! This one is just so beautiful.
The versatility of your craft/art passions and pursuits is inspiring! It helps justify my own need to do so many different things. And you complete them! This one is just so beautiful.
Lovely and beautiful, and whie youre in an updating kind of mood… how about that needlepoint< hmmm?? I'm so intrigued by that piece. Hope you are enjoying your new digs.
Lovely and beautiful, and whie youre in an updating kind of mood… how about that needlepoint< hmmm?? I'm so intrigued by that piece. Hope you are enjoying your new digs.
Lovely and beautiful, and whie youre in an updating kind of mood… how about that needlepoint< hmmm?? I'm so intrigued by that piece. Hope you are enjoying your new digs.
Lovely and beautiful, and whie youre in an updating kind of mood… how about that needlepoint< hmmm?? I'm so intrigued by that piece. Hope you are enjoying your new digs.
Lovely and beautiful, and whie youre in an updating kind of mood… how about that needlepoint< hmmm?? I'm so intrigued by that piece. Hope you are enjoying your new digs.
Lovely and beautiful, and whie youre in an updating kind of mood… how about that needlepoint< hmmm?? I'm so intrigued by that piece. Hope you are enjoying your new digs.
Love this and did some research on Molas.
wish you could design and sell a kit for those of us who need this help.
I definitely would buy it!
Thinking out of the box…lead a trip to Mola land and we could of course, work on a Mola ourselves….
You probably have seen artist Jane La Fazio’s blog and all the trips she leads to beautiful places and her students sketch 1/2 day with seeing the sites in the afternoon. She is always booked way ahead.
Any interest?
Love this and did some research on Molas.
wish you could design and sell a kit for those of us who need this help.
I definitely would buy it!
Thinking out of the box…lead a trip to Mola land and we could of course, work on a Mola ourselves….
You probably have seen artist Jane La Fazio’s blog and all the trips she leads to beautiful places and her students sketch 1/2 day with seeing the sites in the afternoon. She is always booked way ahead.
Any interest?
Love this and did some research on Molas.
wish you could design and sell a kit for those of us who need this help.
I definitely would buy it!
Thinking out of the box…lead a trip to Mola land and we could of course, work on a Mola ourselves….
You probably have seen artist Jane La Fazio’s blog and all the trips she leads to beautiful places and her students sketch 1/2 day with seeing the sites in the afternoon. She is always booked way ahead.
Any interest?
Love this and did some research on Molas.
wish you could design and sell a kit for those of us who need this help.
I definitely would buy it!
Thinking out of the box…lead a trip to Mola land and we could of course, work on a Mola ourselves….
You probably have seen artist Jane La Fazio’s blog and all the trips she leads to beautiful places and her students sketch 1/2 day with seeing the sites in the afternoon. She is always booked way ahead.
Any interest?
Love this and did some research on Molas.
wish you could design and sell a kit for those of us who need this help.
I definitely would buy it!
Thinking out of the box…lead a trip to Mola land and we could of course, work on a Mola ourselves….
You probably have seen artist Jane La Fazio’s blog and all the trips she leads to beautiful places and her students sketch 1/2 day with seeing the sites in the afternoon. She is always booked way ahead.
Any interest?
Love this and did some research on Molas.
wish you could design and sell a kit for those of us who need this help.
I definitely would buy it!
Thinking out of the box…lead a trip to Mola land and we could of course, work on a Mola ourselves….
You probably have seen artist Jane La Fazio’s blog and all the trips she leads to beautiful places and her students sketch 1/2 day with seeing the sites in the afternoon. She is always booked way ahead.
Any interest?
Great progress on your mola. Very inspiring!!
Great progress on your mola. Very inspiring!!
Great progress on your mola. Very inspiring!!
Great progress on your mola. Very inspiring!!
Great progress on your mola. Very inspiring!!
Great progress on your mola. Very inspiring!!
I would love to see the back of this….a closer look at your stitching. Not to judge them, to see how neat they are, but to see how this is done. It’s very cool!
~Robin
I would love to see the back of this….a closer look at your stitching. Not to judge them, to see how neat they are, but to see how this is done. It’s very cool!
~Robin
I would love to see the back of this….a closer look at your stitching. Not to judge them, to see how neat they are, but to see how this is done. It’s very cool!
~Robin
I would love to see the back of this….a closer look at your stitching. Not to judge them, to see how neat they are, but to see how this is done. It’s very cool!
~Robin
I would love to see the back of this….a closer look at your stitching. Not to judge them, to see how neat they are, but to see how this is done. It’s very cool!
~Robin
I would love to see the back of this….a closer look at your stitching. Not to judge them, to see how neat they are, but to see how this is done. It’s very cool!
~Robin
I collected several molas on a recent trip to Panama and Costa Rica. I have made them into pockets on a large bag. They are beautiful and attract attention. Here in South Florida many people know what they are.
I collected several molas on a recent trip to Panama and Costa Rica. I have made them into pockets on a large bag. They are beautiful and attract attention. Here in South Florida many people know what they are.
I collected several molas on a recent trip to Panama and Costa Rica. I have made them into pockets on a large bag. They are beautiful and attract attention. Here in South Florida many people know what they are.
I collected several molas on a recent trip to Panama and Costa Rica. I have made them into pockets on a large bag. They are beautiful and attract attention. Here in South Florida many people know what they are.
I collected several molas on a recent trip to Panama and Costa Rica. I have made them into pockets on a large bag. They are beautiful and attract attention. Here in South Florida many people know what they are.
I collected several molas on a recent trip to Panama and Costa Rica. I have made them into pockets on a large bag. They are beautiful and attract attention. Here in South Florida many people know what they are.
Love your mola, and of course the bright colors! good for you to keep going even though your first stitches ‘seem’ not as good. A ‘journal’ of your progress in fabric and stitching!! ♥
Love your mola, and of course the bright colors! good for you to keep going even though your first stitches ‘seem’ not as good. A ‘journal’ of your progress in fabric and stitching!! ♥
Love your mola, and of course the bright colors! good for you to keep going even though your first stitches ‘seem’ not as good. A ‘journal’ of your progress in fabric and stitching!! ♥
Love your mola, and of course the bright colors! good for you to keep going even though your first stitches ‘seem’ not as good. A ‘journal’ of your progress in fabric and stitching!! ♥
Love your mola, and of course the bright colors! good for you to keep going even though your first stitches ‘seem’ not as good. A ‘journal’ of your progress in fabric and stitching!! ♥
Love your mola, and of course the bright colors! good for you to keep going even though your first stitches ‘seem’ not as good. A ‘journal’ of your progress in fabric and stitching!! ♥
Looks great, Julie. Check out the book on the tastemakers of Egypt, more appliques done by men, a lost art. Keep going, you are getting better. Just like machine quilting, practice helps!!
Looks great, Julie. Check out the book on the tastemakers of Egypt, more appliques done by men, a lost art. Keep going, you are getting better. Just like machine quilting, practice helps!!
Looks great, Julie. Check out the book on the tastemakers of Egypt, more appliques done by men, a lost art. Keep going, you are getting better. Just like machine quilting, practice helps!!
Looks great, Julie. Check out the book on the tastemakers of Egypt, more appliques done by men, a lost art. Keep going, you are getting better. Just like machine quilting, practice helps!!
Looks great, Julie. Check out the book on the tastemakers of Egypt, more appliques done by men, a lost art. Keep going, you are getting better. Just like machine quilting, practice helps!!
Looks great, Julie. Check out the book on the tastemakers of Egypt, more appliques done by men, a lost art. Keep going, you are getting better. Just like machine quilting, practice helps!!
A few weeks ago I was very fortunate to spend a few days with the kuna Indians on one of the San Blas Islands. We got to spend an afternoon in a hut with a fantastic mola maker. She sat with us and showed us how she makes Molas . I still can’t belive that we were invited to stay at the village with them as it is difficult to make the arrangements . If any one is planning on going to Panama I can give you some good information.
A few weeks ago I was very fortunate to spend a few days with the kuna Indians on one of the San Blas Islands. We got to spend an afternoon in a hut with a fantastic mola maker. She sat with us and showed us how she makes Molas . I still can’t belive that we were invited to stay at the village with them as it is difficult to make the arrangements . If any one is planning on going to Panama I can give you some good information.
A few weeks ago I was very fortunate to spend a few days with the kuna Indians on one of the San Blas Islands. We got to spend an afternoon in a hut with a fantastic mola maker. She sat with us and showed us how she makes Molas . I still can’t belive that we were invited to stay at the village with them as it is difficult to make the arrangements . If any one is planning on going to Panama I can give you some good information.
A few weeks ago I was very fortunate to spend a few days with the kuna Indians on one of the San Blas Islands. We got to spend an afternoon in a hut with a fantastic mola maker. She sat with us and showed us how she makes Molas . I still can’t belive that we were invited to stay at the village with them as it is difficult to make the arrangements . If any one is planning on going to Panama I can give you some good information.
A few weeks ago I was very fortunate to spend a few days with the kuna Indians on one of the San Blas Islands. We got to spend an afternoon in a hut with a fantastic mola maker. She sat with us and showed us how she makes Molas . I still can’t belive that we were invited to stay at the village with them as it is difficult to make the arrangements . If any one is planning on going to Panama I can give you some good information.
A few weeks ago I was very fortunate to spend a few days with the kuna Indians on one of the San Blas Islands. We got to spend an afternoon in a hut with a fantastic mola maker. She sat with us and showed us how she makes Molas . I still can’t belive that we were invited to stay at the village with them as it is difficult to make the arrangements . If any one is planning on going to Panama I can give you some good information.
Hi I would want to know if you did this mola using the reverse aplique technique? And how did you lesrned it? I am planning to make mola myself from long ago but haven’t been able to find many instructions and I am terrified of starting and cutting wrong parts and then ruining it. How many layers does yours have? If you could share with me any link or source you used for instructions on techniques that would be great. How long did it take for you to finish yours? Thanks. And awesome work.
Hi I would want to know if you did this mola using the reverse aplique technique? And how did you lesrned it? I am planning to make mola myself from long ago but haven’t been able to find many instructions and I am terrified of starting and cutting wrong parts and then ruining it. How many layers does yours have? If you could share with me any link or source you used for instructions on techniques that would be great. How long did it take for you to finish yours? Thanks. And awesome work.
Hi I would want to know if you did this mola using the reverse aplique technique? And how did you lesrned it? I am planning to make mola myself from long ago but haven’t been able to find many instructions and I am terrified of starting and cutting wrong parts and then ruining it. How many layers does yours have? If you could share with me any link or source you used for instructions on techniques that would be great. How long did it take for you to finish yours? Thanks. And awesome work.
Hi I would want to know if you did this mola using the reverse aplique technique? And how did you lesrned it? I am planning to make mola myself from long ago but haven’t been able to find many instructions and I am terrified of starting and cutting wrong parts and then ruining it. How many layers does yours have? If you could share with me any link or source you used for instructions on techniques that would be great. How long did it take for you to finish yours? Thanks. And awesome work.
Hi I would want to know if you did this mola using the reverse aplique technique? And how did you lesrned it? I am planning to make mola myself from long ago but haven’t been able to find many instructions and I am terrified of starting and cutting wrong parts and then ruining it. How many layers does yours have? If you could share with me any link or source you used for instructions on techniques that would be great. How long did it take for you to finish yours? Thanks. And awesome work.
Hi I would want to know if you did this mola using the reverse aplique technique? And how did you lesrned it? I am planning to make mola myself from long ago but haven’t been able to find many instructions and I am terrified of starting and cutting wrong parts and then ruining it. How many layers does yours have? If you could share with me any link or source you used for instructions on techniques that would be great. How long did it take for you to finish yours? Thanks. And awesome work.