Dive deep into the world of Kantha, an exquisite embroidery and quilting tradition from the Indian subcontinent, with artist Ekta Kaul. This three-session series offers a comprehensive exploration of Kantha, focusing on its rich history, cultural significance, and unique stitch techniques. Through Ekta’s extensive research and personal insights from field trips across Bengal and major museums in India and the UK, participants will learn about the Kantha tradition, its ethos of sustainability, storytelling, and mindfulness. Each session is designed to provide a hands-on learning experience, teaching participants how to create their own Kantha designs, from illustrative motifs to geometric patterns, using traditional stitches.
Level: Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced embroiderer, this series promises a journey through the creativity, mindfulness and sustainability embodied in Kantha.
**All classes of this series will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session.
The Series
Session 1: Introduction to Kantha
Ekta will deepen our appreciation of Kantha’s cultural background, popular motifs and their associated meaning, and types of Kantha. We will gain an understanding of traditional Kantha construction before beginning our own stitching journey together.
We will learn a range of outline and filling stitches through demonstrations on a design by our teacher which was inspired by traditional motifs and daily life. We will leave with an understanding of preparing and stabilizing layers, transferring designs, and establishing a central motif.
Friday, July 12th, 2024
12 – 2:30 pm ET
Session 2: Embroidering Corners and Borders
We will apply our newfound stitching skills to the embellishment of corners and borders. Ekta will guide us through stitch techniques with step-by-step demonstrations, while discussing the symbolism of patterns and pattern making decisions.
Friday, July 19th, 2024
12 – 2:30 pm ET
Session 3: Quilting Stitches and Finishing Techniques
We will dive into quilting stitches unique to Kantha, to create the characteristic rippled appearance of the surface. This will be followed by a discussion on finishing techniques and creative display options for finished pieces.
Friday, July 26th, 2024
12 – 2:30 pm ET
Dates
Fridays, July 12th, 19th, and 26th, 2024
Time
12pm – 2:30 pm ET
Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the day before class.
If you cannot attend the live sessions, the recordings will be available to you for one month after the last live session.
Cost
Virtual Class : $165
Virtual Class with Materials Package: $200 + shipping
Class Materials
A kit for this class is available for purchase with the class. If you would like to purchase the kit, choose the “Virtual Class with Materials Package” from the drop down menu at checkout.
The Tatter kit includes:
- White linen square (10″ x 10″)
- White linen/cotton square (10″ x 10″)
- 2 skeins of Tatter thread
- 2 skeins perle cotton
- Assorted needles
- Needle threader
- Embroidery hoop
- Frixion pen
If using your own materials, you will need:
- Medium weight linen in ecru/cream (10”x10” or larger)
- Lightweight cotton in any color, eg. voile (10”x10”)
- Embroidery floss skeins (at least 2 contrasting colors)
- Perle No. 8 skein or ball in ecru
- Milliners needles (to fit perle no. 8 thread) or large eyed needles
- Embroidery needle (preferably No. 9)
- Sharp scissors
- Needle threaders
- Embroidery hoop
- Erasable pens for drawing on fabric
- Pearl pins
- Sewing thread for basting and hemming
- Optional: light box for tracing
All participants will receive a downloadable PDF of a Kantha design developed by Ekta before the class which they are requested to trace onto their fabric and bring to the class. The design is intended to be a suggestion and participants are welcome to choose their own designs.
OUR TEACHER
Ekta Kaul is an award-winning artist based in London. Her artistic practice focuses on exploring place, personal history and belonging through stitched maps and abstract paintings. Her work is held in several prominent public collections including the Museum of London, Crafts Council, the Gunnersbury Museum, Tatter Blue Library (USA) among others as well as private collections. Ekta trained at India’s premier design school, the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad before undertaking a Masters degree in Textiles in the UK. Her authoritative book Kantha: Sustainable Textiles and Mindful Making is slated for release in June 2024 in the UK and August 2024 in the US. She works from her studio in leafy West London.
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