Slow Stitch: Kantha Hand Stitching
There is something very calming about a needle, a length of thread and a pile of fabric scraps. Kantha is our project at the monthly Slow Stitch Club here at the Barn – and here are some of the pieces.
What is kantha?
Kantha is a hand-stitching tradition from Bengal (now Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal). Layers of worn cotton cloth, often old saris, were stitched together with simple running stitch to make something new and useful. The rows of tiny stitches give the fabric its lovely rippled, crinkled texture. It is slow, mindful stitching, perfect for using up treasured scraps.
Starting with scraps
Every piece starts by laying out scraps on a base fabric – here a piece of linen – and moving them around until the colours feel right. Then you simply start stitching, row by row.
Building up the stitches
These blue pieces show how the stitches build up into texture. Lines of running stitch fill each patch, with little extras added along the way: French knots, a tiny embroidered bird, a flower and a leaf. Indigo and faded blues really suit kantha.
Come and stitch with us
Slow Stitch Club runs on the first Tuesday of every month, 10am–4pm, and new people are always welcome – whatever your skill level. Join in with the kantha, or bring your own hand stitching, and enjoy coffee, cake and lots of chat. The next one is Tuesday 1 December.
