Today is one of those winter days I am not fond of... it's cold, raining and the roads are icy. A good day to be in the studio.
A good day to sit by the fire with a nice cup of tea and do some Kantha Stitching. I have also heard this stitching called, Big Stitch or Running Stitch.... My friend from South Africa taught me...
All you need is two pieces of fabric - fat 1/4's are a great way to start and then you can turn it into a cute pillow. Embroidery thread or pearl cotton for stitching, and a needle. (I personally need a needle threader sometimes) and some scissors. Thread and needle for a quick basting.
This is one of my in progress pieces... I am going to turn this into a pillow once the stitching is all done. One of the great things about this technique you can put it down and pick it up months later without worrying about a pattern...(my current problem with knitting projects)
If you are working on something bigger than a cocktail napkin you are going to want to baste the two layers together. You can use a few safety pins or needle and thread. Using a needle and thread stitch the two layers together with large stitches, you don't need a ton of basting just to keep the two layers from slipping while you get the first few rows of Kantha stitching done.
Cut a 12" ish length of thread. Knot the end and either nest it between the two layers or through both layers so the knot is on the back. Your first row you will want to be straight. I fold my piece and finger press a line to follow when I am stitching. Very scientific!
It is this simple....
Now for all the fun things I am making or have made....
I think this will be a table runner when its all stitched...
Little cocktail napkins!! These remind me of Morocco and the cool napkins they have at Peacock Pavilions.
Pillows...Out of Mystic canvas and Mystic cotton.
Hope this finds its way into your tool box of techniques that you use when you create.
XOXO
Valori
The winner of the Mystic bundle is..... Barb in MI (you have been e-mailed)
AND because I really love giving things I am going to do another give away from this blog post....
Just leave a comment and I will announce the winner on Fridays blog....
Fun ideas & beautiful fabrics.
Posted by: Sharon S | January 12, 2016 at 02:16 PM
Wow, thank you so much! Just admired your kantha stitching on IG when I saw your email!! Thank you, thank you and happy stitching!
Posted by: Barb in Mi | January 12, 2016 at 02:23 PM
I knew the Kantha stitch, I have quilted that way for years, calling it big stitch like you said. What I did NOT know was the 2-fabrics-only part of the tech.
I really like the napkin idea!! Something I can teach my grandgirls that will go fast.
Thank YOU!
Posted by: Vicky aka stichr and stichr2 | January 12, 2016 at 02:47 PM
This is an interesting technique. I wonder if my 'old' hands would be up to this? Your work looks lovely though!
Posted by: janet moilanen | January 12, 2016 at 03:17 PM
Love projects that you can start and stop. Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Sandy A in St. Louis | January 12, 2016 at 03:41 PM
Today, I FINALLY picked up my special thread and needle to begin stitching a little-quilted pillow piece I started a few years back. I took the piece with me to sit and stitch while I'm with my mom as she is now sick in bed at her assisted care apartment. Then, I come home to find your blog on stitching something similar. How I love life! Thank you!
Posted by: Robin Sullivan | January 12, 2016 at 03:48 PM
The stitching creates a great texture.
Posted by: Carol W | January 12, 2016 at 04:16 PM
I LOVE Kantha stitching. I've worked it into a couple of quilts now (along with machine quilting). Have fun with yours!
Posted by: Nicole | January 12, 2016 at 04:53 PM
You are inspiring me to get cracking on this process! Love it✂️
Posted by: Val | January 12, 2016 at 04:59 PM
It looks both beautiful and relaxing. Thank you for your inspiration :)
Posted by: Katherine | January 12, 2016 at 05:38 PM
I heard about the Kantha stitching but did not know exactly how it was done. Thanks very much for explaining it so easily.
Posted by: Carola Koubek | January 12, 2016 at 06:50 PM
Nice technique. I think I'll try it!
Posted by: Joan Eady | January 12, 2016 at 06:50 PM
This is so great! Our guild just had Marianne Burr as our guest speaker and she does a lot of Kantha stitching and I was really taken with it. I think this would be the perfect thing for the panels that I made in the silk screening class! I love the simplicity of it.
LauraT
Posted by: Laura Tawney | January 12, 2016 at 07:41 PM
Thanks for the tutorial on kantha. I love that style!!
Posted by: DIANE L | January 12, 2016 at 07:43 PM
Thank you for sharing your Kantha Stitching! Another great slow stitching technique that I will try very soon.
Posted by: Solange | January 12, 2016 at 07:54 PM
Love your pillows! This looks like a great "mindless" project for working on between more complicated projects. Thanks!
Posted by: Megan | January 13, 2016 at 12:15 AM
Thank you for the tutorial! I have a small project that would be great to try Kantha on.
Posted by: Martha | January 13, 2016 at 09:49 AM
I love the elephants printed on the fabric! Kinda wish it were a stamp I could buy! :) Thanks for the tutorial!
Posted by: Shaena Green | January 13, 2016 at 05:58 PM
I have found that hand quilting/perle cotton/kantha stitching is swiftly becoming my favorite thing to do. glad im not the only one!
Posted by: Jenny | January 14, 2016 at 10:42 AM
I love the look of this stitching combined with your new fabric line!! I really want to try it. 😊
Posted by: Laurel Mannen | January 14, 2016 at 07:40 PM