Kantha Embroidery

Kantha is a form of embroidery that originates in Southeast Asia. Like Japanese Boro, layers of reused fabric, often saris, are stacked together and stitched by hand to create a cushioned piece of fabric that is reminiscent of a quilt.
In this video, I will show you the basics of the Kantha technique and ideas for making items with your stitched cloth such as mats, cushion covers or scarves. Take a look around your home and in your wardrobe for pieces of material that can be reused for your Kantha embroidery.
You can find out more about the history of Kantha, as mentioned in the video at the links below:
www.wanderingsilk.org/kantha-...
www.vam.ac.uk/articles/kantha...

[@katpaints]

Excellent instructions! And i love your piece of freeze dyed fabric! I have experimented with painting watercolors in freezing weather. It isn't easily done since when we have deep freezers it is usually stormy with a lot of wind and it needs to be still. Fascinating!

[@nadurkee46]

You are a most careful explainer and demonstrator. Thank you for such explicit easy instruction. I can’t wait to get started on my project.

[@vwatts8738]

What a jewel of a find you are😊💕💕💕!!! Definitely going to do this. I LOVE hand sewing. It’s so relaxing and you have a finished project to enjoy. Thank you!! 😊

[@rosemarygordon380]

2.35pm Sunday June 20th I 'very been really excited watching this video! Although I'm nearly 79 it takes me back to the part of school I really enjoyed. You're a great teacher and I love the way you save all the pieces, waste nothing, and I love you've chosen hand sewing and don't stick rigorously to straight lines. It's much better I feel to produce a piece of work that looks as it's produced by a human being and not a machine or robot! I also love how you save anything that can possibly be reused on another project, especially BUTTONS. The possibilities for them are endless. GREAT! Rosie Gordon

[@reginaparrish1224]

That would make a beautiful table runner 😊

[@conniesmith9989]

I really like this because you can make it your own and/or style.

[@PidgeLee]

Thank you

[@NanaKathy47]

I have a beautiful Kantha throw blanket, made in India, that my daughter bought for me. She knows I am a quilter and would appreciate the work involved. One suggestion: Once you have a placement you like, use a phone and take a picture of the layout first (just in case), then use glue or pin. You never know when a child or pet might disturb your design.

[@anitabarra810]

Lovely. And you taught it so well. Thank you. I have some pieces of silk I’d like to try this method with because I just cannot bear to throw out the silk scraps!!

[@saraborisch5343]

This is very cool and I am going to investigate this further. I already love Shibori stitching (organic not exact patterns) and I have done Indigo dyeing. AND I love using up fabric I have!

[@taliastevens4951]

Just scrolling through KZbin and came upon your video. I think it would be a perfect mother's day project for my boys to try. I'm sure the oldest, 10, can learn, and maybe the 5 year old too!

[@katpaints]

My mother sat me down with a needle and thread and fabric in an embroidery hoop when I was 3. I am now 78. I haven't put the needle down yet!

[@jerigale]

Your teaching is clear and very encouraging! Thanks so much.👏

[@karenkaren9526]

I love the blue and green one

[@juliegolub2602]

Lovely scarf ❣️

[@Loriann3616]

Thank you from Wisconsin ❤

[@bones7373]

JUST try he tutorial I was looking for! I want to finish a kantha scarf over my vacation. Thank You!!

[@PidgeLee]

You are so welcome!

[@Iamlynie1]

Brilliant video, very well explained, gives me lots to think about, thank you for sharing 😊❤

[@PidgeLee]

You are so welcome

[@conniesmith9989]

Hi from Texas. Thank you 😊.

[@PidgeLee]

You are so welcome!

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I started using safety pins when I fit garments, they don't slip out or poke like straight pins. I think that would be good for this too.

[@PidgeLee]

That is an excellent idea especially if you have collarless safety pins, which are less bulky.

[@nancymathisen9707]

❤

[@IvyRosethebus]

Thank you 😊

[@PidgeLee]

You're welcome 😊

[@margaretWestminster]

You did a wonderful video. The end result is beautiful. Thank you. ❤️

[@PidgeLee]

Thank you so much!

[@charlenewallmark1187]

A glue stick is brilliant!!!!

[@manishagokhale156]

Narayan Narayan 🙏🙏🙏

[@deannaweiss416]

Do you leave the raw edges to fray?

[@PidgeLee]

Yes, I left them raw but some people prefer to fold them over. It is down to personal choice.

[@bernicelycklama7619]

I can't seem to find the link to read about the history. Could you give me the link please?

[@PidgeLee]

I have now added links in the description. Thank you for the reminder!

[@LoriHlywka-eh5zh]

Can you make like 8 1/2 x 11 squares then sew all together to make a queen size blanket? How would you see them all together?

[@PidgeLee]

I'm sure you can scale this up to a much karger project. It would be ideal as a blanket.

[@jayasreebikki6318]

Good morning. How are you. Can we use for this work georgette and pure silk sari Ure

[@PidgeLee]

It would be ideal for this.

[@helendobby8040]

Did you turn the edges of the pieces under to prevent fraying?

[@sabeena011]

I was going to ask the same - doesn't look like she did. I'm not keen on it having raw edges. Pity she couldn't answer your question personally - a trait I find annoying!

[@RosemaryN]

On thé example project, she cut the backing slightly larger than the patchwork and turned it up all around for a self-binding. On the grey coaster she purposely left the frayed edges as a design choice.

[@louisaman5497]

You did nodtsecure the outer edges

[@PidgeLee]

The outer edges become secure when you enclose them at the end.

[@annveidemanis9729]

Does the material fray . Thank-you.

[@PidgeLee]

Ensure that you remove and loose fibres before using. By stitching in place it reduces the risk of fray but the risk will always be there. The tighter the weave of fabric the less likely it is to fray though.

[@Arthousebvi]

Which came first? Kantha or Boro?

[@PidgeLee]

I have no idea. I will have to do some research on this.

[@thinklier]

I just don't understand how she will ever wash her work without the edges of the center pieces fraying, because the other day I washed a new pice of fabric to see if it was going to shrink, and it frayed like crazy. I lost a good deal of fabric just by making that mistake. But the work is really beautiful!

[@DoloresJRush]

What’s the difference between Kantha and Kawandi quilting because in my mind they look the same?

[@PidgeLee]

I have no idea. Something to research!

[@kayherstedt6618]

They are constructed differently, I believe.

[@louisaman5497]

You did not fold the edges over

[@heleneikerenkotter2950]

You can fold pieces under or leave raw. The choice is yours. Depends on what you are going to use this piece of cloth for. If it is just to save pieces of fabric from clothing from the past and certainly it is just a keep sake . It actually looks fine with raw edges. If you are going to make something that is going to be used and washed multiple times then you can hem the squares . This is not a quilt. People never wasted. They used what was left of clothing . It is a unique art form as I see it.

[@PidgeLee]

No, I left them raw because I like this effect. You can fold them over if you want a neater overall effect. It's down to personal choice and what works best for you. :)

[@lisacanfield8797]

I love my glue sticks!