What's the name of this patchwork technique?

[theskyturtle]

I got his wonderful bag from a friend who bought it in Colombia. The handmade work is astonishing. It's like patchwork but also like fabric embroidery.

Does anyone know how this technique is called?

[shout4joy]

I think it is something like Mola...

[daydreamcatcher]

This is called mole applique.

[daydreamcatcher]

Sorry, misspelled it.  It is mola applique.

[suereal]

Yup, mola.

[alwaysinmyroom]

It is indeed a mola--made by the Cuna Indians of the San Blas islands of Panama...the technique is called reverse applique...

You layer several fabrics together then cut down into each one, folding in the design and stitching it to the inside...due to demand, some molas are now being made in what I consider a "cheaty" way...appliquing on top and not doing the intricate hard work of true reverse applique..

The women and children of the Cuna Indians make these into beautiful clothing...I am sure that if your friend brought it from Colombia, that it was imported from Panama

It is very lovely!
(bored so I am cruising the boards today...)