Saturday 9 May 2009

kantha quilts


Kantha Quilt available through Sally Campbell

Kantha Quilt Rie Elise Larsen

Tea Cosy Rie Elise Larsen

Cushion Rie Elise Larsen

Quilts from Jeanette Farrier

traditional Kantha Quilt from West Bengal

What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than to take a look at a traditional woman's craft, Kantha Quilts or otherwise known as "quilt of cotton recycled rag".
Traditionally Kanthas make use of old worn out saris or dhotis, recycling them into colorful quilts or coverlets. The quilting used to keep the many layers together is a simple running stitich although traditionally combined with ornate embroidery. Threads for the quilting and embroidery are often unravelled from garments borders and reused.
Here are some inspirational resources for Kanthas that can be found online:
Jeanette Farrier makes beautiful wraps and throws using antique saris that are quilted by village women in India helping them to make a living through their handcraft.
Beautiful Kanthas can also be found online at Sally Campbell. Sally Campbell also travels to India regularly to choose her fabrics and works closely with local srtisans there.
I love the Kantha products that can be found by Rie Elise Larsen! The colors are fabulous!! The site is however in Danish so I am not sure about the production details of her home accessories.
Have a very HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!