Kantha outlines with the Running Stitch
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| Embroidery Sample: Kantha of Bengal |
Kantha Work thrives on the Running Stitch. The easiest way to work this embroidery is to just learn how to work the Running Stitch. The quickest way to execute this stitch on a pattern is to apply it to the outlines of the patterns. Use a single solid color or use a combination of the traditional Kantha colors- either way, you will discover an elegant way to cover your fabric in the quickest way possible! This is a 6″ pattern worked using the basic Kantha colors.
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| Fig 1: Work the outlines neatly using a single color, or various colors as I have. | Fig 2: The finished work is beautiful and simple. |
Stitch used in this project
The pattern used in this project. Click for the printable PDF file.
Now let’s learn the other variations of Kantha Work:
Sarah has been researching and sharing hand embroidery lessons for over 17 years, making it accessible to everyone around the globe.
do you sketch an outline of a straight line onto a kantha cloth if you want to make a blanket? How do you keep the lines straight and evenly spaced? Thanks.
Hi Tara!
Typically, you would not draw straight lines for the stitching but use your senses to keep them ‘straight.’ It is okay for the stitches to be a bit out of line or wonky in Kantha. As a beginner, if you feel comfortable having the lines, go ahead with it. 🙂
Sarah,
I am looking for a Pattern Darning design to go around a table cloth edge. Any suggestions you might have would be helpful. It is a wide area of cross stitch type weave. Thank hyou.
Hi Jann,
You will find a lot of pattern darning patterns on Pinterest. I suggest you look there. 🙂
Best regards,
Sarah
What type and size of needle do you use for the Kantha work?
Hi Robin,
I generally use a size 5 or 6 embroidery needle (the sizes might vary slightly depending on the brand). The regular embroidery needle is good for smaller projects like the one here. When working on bigger projects where you might make longer rows of running stitches, I use a really long needle (about 12 cm long) and no embroidery hoop. This needle can gather a lot of fabric at a time to create a long running stitch row. I had acquired mine from a local shop here, so it has not brand or size mentioned on it. I hope this information helps. 🙂
-Sarah
One of the work which i loved to work with it
Do you have any similar ones
Please send links
I mean like a patttern plss
Hi Karen,
Thank you. So glad that you liked Kantha. Those links are not activated yet. I was hoping to activate them, one every week through this month. But, I can go ahead and activate them in a couple of hours for you. ☺️
Hi! Your links aren’t working for these variations. But I am very interested so I will try again later. Hopefully you can get them to work. Love your site!
Hi Karen,
I have activated all the tutorials for you. The patterns, if you wish to use and print will be available on a weekly basis.
Enjoy these simple lessons. I am sure you will love working the Kantha technique!