> Title: Kantha Stitch Clothing & Fabric from India | Surajmal > Source: https://surajmal.com/techniques/kantha > Publisher: Surajmal Shobhachand [Techniques](/techniques) # Kantha stitch clothing for brands, _and fabric from India._ Kantha jackets, overshirts, tops and dresses, with layer choices, running-stitch coverage and tests to specify on the tech pack. [Enquire→](/contact) [Send a tech pack](/contact) Surajmal Shobhachand supplies Kantha garments and fabric sold separately by the metre from India. Kantha is running-stitch embroidery that originated in West Bengal. Kantha - **Stitch**: Running stitch - **Layers**: Several layers or a single ground - **Ground fabrics**: Light and medium cotton or silk - **Coverage**: Stitch length and row spacing - **Artwork**: Motif dimensions and placement - **Enquiry**: Garment or fabric reference, quantity [Enquire about kantha→](/contact) ## Kantha garments we supply [Indigo jacket with all-over cream Kantha rows and patch pockets Jacket, all-over Kantha See jackets →](/products/jackets) [Olive overshirt with cream Kantha rows and two chest pockets Overshirt, Kantha rows See woven shirts →](/products/shirts) [Rust top with cream Kantha leaf motifs and running-stitch rows Top, Kantha leaf motifs See tops & blouses →](/products/tops-blouses) [Rust dress with cream Kantha running-stitch rows Kantha stitch dress See dresses →](/products/dresses) Have a style in mind? Send a reference garment and the quantity, and we quote it with Kantha stitching. [Request a similar style→](/contact) ## Layered or single-layer Kantha ### Layered Running stitches join several cloth layers into a quilted construction. Two indigo cotton panels with matching cream running-stitch rows and folded corners showing several layers on the left and one on the right ### Single layer One layer of white or coloured cloth forms the ground for the embroidery. Specify the layer count separately from the stitch coverage. ## Running-stitch coverage Running stitches pass up and down through the cloth, leaving gaps between stitches. Specify their length and row spacing against a reference, with the areas to leave unstitched marked on the artwork. Indigo running-stitch rows beside an outlined and filled leaf on ecru cloth, with unstitched ground between them ## Quote your Kantha motif on a garment Send the motif artwork, a reference garment or tech pack, a stitching reference and the quantity. We quote the Kantha garment in your colour, with the coverage and finish you specify. [Get a garment quote→](/contact) ## How a Kantha motif is stitched 1. 1 ### Trace Transfer the motif to the cloth with tracing paper and carbon. 2. 2 ### Outline Stitch the design outlines first. 3. 3 ### Fill Fill the outlined areas with running stitches. ## Specifying Kantha on a tech pack - **Layer construction**: Choose a single layer or layered cloth. Give the number of layers for layered work. - **Ground fabric**: State the composition, construction, GSM and colour. Light and medium cotton or silk suit Kantha work. See [cotton](/materials/cotton) and [poplin](/materials/poplin) for ground cloth options. - **Artwork and motif dimensions**: Attach a line drawing and give the finished motif width and height. - **Stitch and row spacing**: Include a reference for stitch length, gaps and the distance between rows. Mark outline, fill and unstitched areas. - **Thread colours**: Give a colour reference for each thread. - **Placement**: Mark motif positions and measurements on the garment drawing, or specify all-over coverage. - **Reverse and edge finish**: Include a reference for the reverse appearance and garment edge finish. - **Care requirements**: State the intended care instructions and required tests. - **Garment sizes and quantities**: Give the size range and quantities per colourway. - **Fabric width and metres**: For fabric supplied on its own, give the required width and length in metres. See [fabrics](/products/fabrics) for cloth supply. Not sure of every line? Tell us what you are planning, and we will advise on what works best. [Send this as a brief→](/contact) ## Tests for Kantha garments Test Method What it measures Colourfastness to washing[\[1\]](https://committee.iso.org/standard/51276.html "Source 1: committee.iso.org: /standard/51276.html") ISO 105-C06 Colour loss and staining after a single (S) test, an approximation of one domestic or commercial laundering. Colourfastness to rubbing[\[2\]](https://members.aatcc.org/store/tm8/481/ "Source 2: members.aatcc.org: /store/tm8/481/") AATCC TM8 Colour transfer to white test cloth under dry and water-wet rubbing. Fabric dimensional change[\[3\]](https://members.aatcc.org/store/tm135/543/ "Source 3: members.aatcc.org: /store/tm135/543/") AATCC TM135 Changes in fabric length and width after home laundering. Fabric smoothness[\[4\]](https://members.aatcc.org/store/tm124/533/ "Source 4: members.aatcc.org: /store/tm124/533/") AATCC TM124 Smoothness appearance of fabric after home laundering. ## Common questions about kantha ### Do you supply wholesale Kantha clothing for brands? Yes. We make to your design and label, from garment development through to bulk. See [private label](/services/private-label) for the garment programme. ### Can we buy Kantha fabric without ordering garments? Yes. We supply Kantha fabric on its own, by the metre, to garment makers. ### What do you need for a Kantha clothing quote? We quote from the garment drawing, ground-fabric specification and embroidery artwork. Include the coverage reference and quantities by size. ### Is Kantha the same as sashiko or boro? No. Sashiko is a Japanese running-stitch technique for mending and reinforcing fabric. Boro describes Japanese textiles worn and mended repeatedly. Name the technique and attach a stitching reference to the brief. A question this does not answer? [Ask us directly](/contact) and we reply within 24 hours. ## Related [Jackets](/products/jackets) [Woven shirts](/products/shirts) [Tops & blouses](/products/tops-blouses) [Dresses](/products/dresses) [Fabrics](/products/fabrics) [Cotton](/materials/cotton) [Poplin](/materials/poplin) [Hand embroidery](/techniques/hand-embroidery) [Embroidery](/techniques/embroidery) [Private label](/services/private-label) ## Developing a Kantha range? Send the styles for the collection, with colourways and quantities for each. We reply within 24 hours. [Discuss your requirement→](/contact)