MASHALSupervisor: Ms. Afsheen Zaman2026-07-302026-07-302026http://repository.uop.edu.pk/123456789/523Textile design is an evolving field that goes beyond surface decoration to become a medium for storytelling, emotional expression, and conceptual communication. However, in contemporary practice, literary narratives are often underexplored as direct sources of inspiration for textile-based garment development. This study, titled “From Narrative to Fabric: Textile Design Inspired by the Novel Maala,” aims to explore how a written narrative can be transformed into visual and tactile textile expressions through experimental surface design techniques. For this purpose, research is conducted on narrative interpretation in design, textile storytelling, surface design techniques, and the role of fabric as a communicative medium. The novel Maala is analyzed to extract key themes, emotions, characters, and symbolic elements that can be translated into textile forms. Additionally, existing approaches in textile design, including traditional and contemporary practices, are studied to understand how narratives have been visually represented through fabric in different contexts. Based on this research, a collection of garments is developed through studio practice, experimentation, sketching, and material exploration. Various textile techniques such as freehand painting, batik, reverse batik, patchwork, embellishment, and tea and coffee dyeing are explored to create layered textures and narrative-driven surfaces. These techniques are used to visually represent different aspects of the story, where fabric acts as a medium for storytelling and emotional expression. The use of tea and coffee dyeing further contributes to creating an aged, paper-like texture that strengthens the connection between literature and textile form. The findings suggest that textile design can effectively communicate narrative content through material exploration, surface manipulation, and visual symbolism. The study highlights the importance of practice-based research in transforming abstract literary ideas into tangible textile outcomes. Overall, the project demonstrates that fabric can function as a powerful storytelling medium, allowing literature to be experienced in a visual and tactile form through garments.enThesis