Applique work is the traditional patchwork of Orissa, in which, artisans stitch the traditional motifs such as elephant, peacock, flowers as well as modern motifs patchworks on brilliant colored clothes and mirror pieces.
Applique is a French term meaning ‘put on’ or ‘applied’ and refers to the fact that pieces of fabric are put on another piece of fabric and then stitched on by hand or machines.
This technique is accomplished by hand embroidery or by machine. Appliqué is an ancient sewing craft, where the designs are achieved by layering small pieces of fabric onto a separate base fabric to form beautiful designs.