THIS FILE PHOTO shows an example of mola, a sewing tradition of the Kuna tribe from the San Blas islands of Panama, on display at the Tucson Museum of Art in Arizona.

Kate Mathews, a mola collector and author of “Molas!: Patterns, Techniques, Projects for Colorful Applique,” said the technique involves more than just cutting away material.

Mola is a sewing tradition of the Kona tribe from the San Blas islands of Panama, with this example on display at the Tucson Museum of Art in Arizona. (Beth J. Harpaz/Associated Press) Molas, a ...

This Oct 1, 2015 photo shows an example of mola, a sewing tradition of the Kona tribe from the San Blas islands of Panama, on display at the Tucson Museum of Art in Arizona.

This Oct 1, 2015 photo shows an example of mola, a sewing tradition of the Kona tribe from the San Blas islands of Panama, on display at the Tucson Museum of Art in Arizona.

The Sheldon Art Galleries presents Kuna Mola: Maintaining Tradition Amid Change, February 19- May 8, 2010 in the Bellwether Gallery of St. Louis Artists.

This exhibition, from the collection of Joyce Cheney, features over 60 exquisite examples of molas made by Kuna women in Panama in the latter part of the 20th century. Mola is the word for both ...

The exhibition, running from Sept. 27 to Jan. 4, includes 21 molas collected over a 30-year period and highlights the breathtaking beauty of native Caribbean plants and animals.

The tradition is characterized by tiny, fine stitches, bold designs and bright colors. Early 20th century photos show Kuna women dressed in blouses and long wrap skirts decorated in the style ...

Beth J. Harpaz This Oct 1, 2015 photo shows an example of mola, a sewing tradition of the Kona tribe from the San Blas islands of Panama, on display at the Tucson Museum of Art in Arizona.

They originated in Panama, with the women of the Kuna tribe in the San Blas islands. But they have fans worldwide. They're in museum collections from the Smithsonian to the British Museum, and ...