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Four women sit cross-legged on a wooden floor in a room, each working on a small patchwork quilt made of colorful fabric squares. They are dressed in traditional clothing, including headscarves and long tops, and appear focused on arranging or sewing the pieces. In front of one woman is a small blue patterned pouch. Behind them, furniture including tables, chairs, and a wooden frame structure is visible against a plain wall.
  • 1 facilitator

Wednesday 30 September 2026

Method testing in Kantha stitching: finding the perfect thread and spacing

Facilitated by Mary Gracy

What the work needed: people, time, money, space and materials.
What went in
Washed cotton fabrics, Kantha needles, embroidery threads (varying strand counts), scissors
Time
4 hours

What was done with those inputs, step by step.

Today, the artisans at the stitching unit began crafting a new piece using selected and washed fabric pieces. During the process, questions arose about how far apart to place stitches and how thick the thread should be for Kantha work. To eliminate guesswork and establish a clear quality benchmark, the team decided to compare four techniques in a structured test.

Each artisan took on a specific variation. One tested closely spaced stitches with thinner thread. Another maintained small, uniform gaps using the full thread. A third tested three-strand thread layers for a bolder look. A fourth variation was set up for full comparison. With the test panels partially completed, the team paused for the day and plans to finish them tomorrow. The team will compare stitch neatness and overall finish to settle the standard Kantha stitching method.

What the activity directly produced: sessions held, people reached, things made.
  • 3 New precision Kantha stitch pattern samples per artisan, updated portfolio files

What changed for the people who took part, and what showed it.

The team shifted from subjective trial-and-error to a systematic comparison methodology. By creating four controlled variations, the artisans gained hands-on experience evaluating how thread thickness and stitch spacing impact fabric drape and finish.

What the team will keep or change next time.

Test techniques side by side before final production. This saves material and sets clear, agreed standards for stitch consistency.

LivelihoodStitching ClubMary Gracy

Run this activity yourself. You are free to copy, change and share this write-up, as long as you credit aikyam space. Photos are not included. (Creative Commons licence CC BY 4.0)