Our Fabrics

 

KANTHA

At the most basic, kantha has always been a craft of repurposing old into new.

Kantha is a traditional embroidery technique, and is characterized by the many rows of short, continuous stitches. This characteristic embroidery method has been used in the Indian subcontinent for hundreds of years, and the word "kantha" refers to this small running. Kantha textiles are typically made by hand by women in rural areas, layering and stitching together old saris or other discarded fabrics to create new pieces, such as quilts or other garments. The running stitch is then applied and is often used to create intricate patterns, motifs, or designs, resulting in visually striking and unique textiles.

Each Kantha is one-of-a-kind in both print and color combination.

 

VINTAGE KANTHA

These rare items are upcycled from a reversible vintage Kantha blanket. Several old fabrics from cotton saris are layered on top of each other and stitched together by hand, using the traditional kantha embroidery technique.

Each jacket is one-of-a-kind, making the reversible garment unique to every wearer.

 

SUZANI

Suzani embroidery is a traditional form of needlework originating from Central Asia. Suzani textiles are typically large embroidered panels that are elaborately decorated with vibrant and intricate patterns.

Suzani embroidery is done by machine on a vintage kantha base or done by hand on a cotton base by local Indian artisans.

 

BAGRU

Bagru refers to a type of traditional hand-block printed textile that originates from the village of Bagru in Rajasthan. This fabric is known for its traditional eco-friendly printing techniques that have been passed down through generations. The process involves the use of carved wooden blocks with natural inks and dyes to stamp repetitive patterns onto the fabric and in JAI's case, onto old kantha quilts.