Kantha

A beautiful book on the tradition of kantha, an Indian embroidery technique with a rich heritage rooted in storytelling and upcycling, with inspiration and techniques for contemporary makers.

The word 'kantha' is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word 'kontha', meaning rags. It refers to both the style of running stitch, as well as the finished cloth: quilted textiles made from multiple layers of cast-off cloth embroidered with threads pulled out from the borders of old saris and dhotis. These beautiful fabrics were created exclusively by women in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent.

In this richly illustrated book, award-winning textile artist Ekta Kaul explores the history of the kantha tradition. She finds objects of extraordinary beauty that were created to be given as gifts often passing from mother to daughter and also used as part of rituals celebrating rites of passage like birth, marriage and death.

Today, kantha has inspired artists and designers across nations and cultures to reimagine tradition. This book showcases inspiring interpretations of the kantha spirit and discusses creative techniques to help you develop your own, featuring a dictionary of fundamental kantha stitches with supporting images and instructions.

Steeped in the ethos of sustainability, emotional repair and mindful making, kantha is the very essence of green design, and will lead you to uncover a slower, and more thoughtful, approach to craft.