What is a Kantha stitch?
What is a Kantha stitch?
Kantha is a style of stitching found in Indian embroidery that we use in our jackets. Traditionally Bengali women layered together old discarded clothing with the simple kantha (running stitch) style stitching to make a bedspread or bed cushion, repurposing the old into something useful and protective.
Which stitches used in Kantha?
Stitches used in Kantha embroidery are running stitch, darning stitch , satin and loop stitch. In Kantha stem stitch is also used to outline the motifs. 1) Archilata Kantha- Covers for mirrors or toilet accessories with wide, colorful borders. 2) Lep Kantha- these are wraps which are heavily padded to make warm quilts.
How many types of Kantha stitches are there?
There are seven different types of kantha: Lep kantha are rectangular wraps heavily padded to make warm coverlets. The entire piece would be stitched in wavy, rippled designs over which simple embroidery was executed. Sujani kantha are rectangular pieces of cloth used as blankets or spreads on ceremonial occasions.
How is Kantha stitch done?
The traditional form of Kantha embroidery was done with soft dhotis and saris, with a simple running stitch along the edges. In some cases, the entire cloth is covered with running stitches, employing beautiful motifs of flowers, animals birds and geometrical shapes, as well as themes from everyday activities.
How is Kantha done?
The size and thickness of Kantha varied according to its type. The layers of pieces are sewn together by simple darning stitch in white thread, drawn from the old sari borders. The design is first traced and the filling is done by coloured threads, taken from the coloured borders of saris.
Why is Kantha called the work of rags?
“Kantha” refers to both the style of running stitch, as well as the finished cloth. While the word kantha has no certain etymological root, it is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word kontha, meaning rags.
Why Kantha are called embroidered rags?
Origin and history Kantha work is approximately 500 years old, and there is a myth surrounding it which points out that Lord Buddha and his disciples used old rags with different kinds of patch work to cover themselves with at night, and this gave the kantha embroidery its origin.
What are the uses of Kantha work?
Kantha work is used to make covers (boxes, mirrors, tables), dupattas (long scarfs), saris (‘kantha sari’), shirts, shawls, wall hangings, soft furnishing and bedding (pillows and cushions) as well as quilts, prayer mats, floor coverings, wallets, purses, but also large wall hangings.
How do you do Kantha stitch?
The stitch is worked by bringing the needle from the back side of the fabric to the front at your starting point and repeat as desired. Characteristically, in Kantha stitching, the stitch on the backside of the cloth is shorter than the one on the front.
What is Kantha embroidery?
The Kantha Embroidery is the predominantly the most popular form of embroidery practiced by the rural women. The traditional form of Kantha embroidery was done the soft dhotis and saris. The thread for this craft was drawn out of the borders of the used cloth.
What is Kantha quilting?
Characteristically, in Kantha stitching, the stitch on the backside of the cloth is shorter than the one on the front. This gives the quilt the traditional dimply wrinkled appearance that we associate with this style of quilting.
What is the difference between Kantha and Anarasi kantha work?
Kantha work is usually done with running stitches but there are variations to this embroidery which uses other stitches too.Cross stitch is sometimes used to create the design. Anarasi Kantha work involves the motif of pineapple.
