Spend a creative evening learning the art of illustrative embroidery inspired by the kantha tradition. Kantha are stitched and quilted textiles from the Indian subcontinent, whose ethos is rooted in sustainability, storytelling and mindfulness. Discarded fabrics are layered, embroidered and repurposed into textiles for function or display using a range of stitches. The illustrative style is marked by figurative designs drawn from everyday life — botanical, animal and human figures. Over the course of the evening you will learn the stitches used in illustrative kantha, following a design template Ekta has developed for the workshop.

You will begin by understanding what kantha is — its cultural significance, its ethos, and its vocabulary of stitches and motifs — looking at examples of illustrative kantha that Ekta has chosen from personal and museum collections in India, the US and the UK. She will share insights gained from her years of research into kantha, travelling in Bengal as well as through museums across India. Through step-by-step demonstrations you will learn a range of traditional kantha stitches, including outline and filling stitches, to create motifs and patterns, and you will learn about the structure and construction of kantha.

You will also learn the characteristic kantha quilting stitch that gives the cloth its softly rippled appearance so you leave with the skills to complete your own kantha stitched art. Your finished piece might become a wall hanging or a panel to use in future projects. A pdf of techniques and design ideas will be shared with you to take home.

Date

Thursday, August 13th, 2026

Time

5:00 – 8:00 pm

Cost

$110

Location

Tatter Textile Library: 505 Carroll Street, #2B, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Class Materials

A curated materials pack — including fabric, needles and threads — is provided. You are encouraged to bring along your own preloved
fabrics or garments to layer into your work, in the true spirit of kantha.