Kantha– a centuries old tradition of beautifully stitched textiles from the Indian subcontinent whose ethos is rooted in sustainability, storytelling and mindfulness. Possibly derived from the Sanskrit word ‘kontha (rags), Kantha refers to both the style of heavily stitched or narrative quilts, as well as the quilts themselves. Discarded fabrics are layered, embroidered and repurposed into textiles for function or display using a host of different stitches.
Under Ekta’s gentle guidance you will learn fundamental Kantha stitches and create a Stitch dictionary. Ekta will share illustrative samples from international museum archives, the Tatter Library collection, and her recent field trip to India to discuss the historical context of Kantha. She will also share contemporary approaches by current working artists to inspire you.
Dates
Friday, July 1st, 2022
Time
12pm – 2pm EDT
Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants
the day before class.
Cost
$85
Materials:
- Medium weight linen in white or cream- A3 size or you may wish to use your preloved garments, fabrics or furnishings like old pillow covers
- Light weight cotton like voile – A3 size
- Needles to fit your thread
- Cotton floss thread
- Sharp pair of embroidery scissors
- Fabric scissors
- Needle threader and thimble (if you use them)
- Hoop (optional)
- Additional threads (optional)- floss, perle
- A sketchbook to write and draw in
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Erasable ink pen (I suggest Frixxion)
OUR TEACHER
Ekta Kaul
Ekta Kaul is an award winning textile artist known for her narrative maps that explore places, history and belonging through stitch. Her work is held in several permanent collections including at the Crafts Council, Liberty of London, the Gunnersbury Museum and those of private collectors. Ekta is also a highly experienced educator and teaches at the Victoria & Albert Museum, West Dean College in the UK and internationally. She has received awards from the Crafts Council and the Arts Council England and was the winner of 2021 Cockpit Arts Textile Prize. Ekta lives and works in London.
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