Explore the art of Kantha- beautiful embroidered and quilted textiles from the Indian subcontinent whose ethos are rooted in sustainability, storytelling and mindfulness. Discarded fabrics are layered, embroidered and repurposed into richly narrative textiles.

Under Ekta’s gentle guidance you will learn fundamental kantha stitches and begin to create your own kantha. 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 and share her approach to Kantha.

Dates
Thursday, March 30th, 2023

Time
12pm – 2:30 pm EST

Location
Zoom, a link will be send to participants the day before class

Cost
$60 for the individual class, $350 for the series

*This session will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all those who register following the live session. This link is live for one month for you to watch at your convenience.

CLASS MATERIALS

• Medium weight linen in white or cream- 12 x 12 “. You may wish to use your preloved garments, fabrics or old pillow covers.
• Lightweight cotton like voile – 12 x12”
• Needles to fit your thread
• Cotton floss threads or Perle no. 8 in your favorite colors
• 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 (FriXion recommended)
• A few flowers/leaf/twig to inspire you. You can also use an image from the internet.

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. She has received awards from the Crafts Council and the Arts Council England and was the winner of 2021 Cockpit Arts Textile Prize. Ekta is currently writing her book on Kantha. She lives and works in London.