A Love for Vintage Kantha Quilts

It begins with a stitch, and ends with a story.

I remember when I received my first quilt, passed down to me from my mother, stitched by my grandmother. It was full of life; her favorite colors, crooked lines, silly patterns. It was worn, gathered around the edges but kept its tender warmth. Grandmother collected all of the quilts she made, and gave them to family members when she left us. I’ve cherished mine, knowing that I’ll never get another like it, but still wanting to find something that I could begin to collect, just like she did.

kantha6

kantha2

I found my something when I was first introduced to a few quilts that were labeled “Kantha Cloths” at my mother’s furniture store, Hot Haute Hot. It was love at first sight; I wanted to learn anything and everything about these beautiful textiles. Kantha refers to the type of stitch used in the craft of this specific type of embroidery. The tradition began in India, where old sari is mixed and layered with worn fabrics and stitched together, creating a vintage quilt. This specific stitch gives the sari quilts and various fabrics a textured, wavy, quality. Each quilt is unique, and I love how each one feels like it has a different story.

kantha5

kantha3

kantha4

So, I’m hooked. Here I am today, collecting and loving each vintage kantha cloth I can get my hands on. It may be the variety of fabric on each quilt that draws me in; how I can relate to each stitch, after all, I’ve always been a bit all over the place, a wandering soul, a bit of everything. I fall in love with each one for a new reason. How one side has emerald green paisley prints with a vibrant patch of pink florals, and the other has a denim menswear feel. They’re so quirky, and so me.

kantha8

kantha7

Kantha to me is a little bit like home. It’s what I love to collect; it’s what I hold near and dear to my heart. Each quilt has a different story, and I’m now making them my story.

Shop our KanthaKantha Hammock, Vintage Kanta Bag, Will Yoga Travel Bag

Get The Look: FP Pull On Kick Flare, We The Free Every Girl Henley

+ What do you collect? Does it have a story? How are you turning it into your story? Let me know in the comments!

Follow fpmadisyn on Instagram, and check out her blog!

5 1 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
22 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
9 years ago

Such beautiful quilts! I love the worn, well loved feel of all things vintage! Its so wonderfully special when its something handmade that has been passed down from generation to generation.

The Weaver Of Words….give me 15 words and I’ll tell you a tale…
http://www.averyfairytale.wordpress.com

Lauren
9 years ago

I love each one of these quilts.. Makes me want to start searching for them! As far as collecting, my thing is mugs, as I have cabinets and cabinets full of them! Family and friends have started to give me them for birthdays and holidays and whenever I travel to a new place I try to find one that is special to me to add to my collection.

You are adorable and have a way with words! Great post…..

9 years ago

Love these – they’re gorgeous. And I was so touched about having your grandmother’s, so very sweet. I am a huge turn of the century, vintage collector – little trinkets that capture the design and innocence of the time.

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

9 years ago
9 years ago

I actually love quilting! It’s a very beautiful hobby and you get wonderful results :)

9 years ago

Girl your hair got so long! Looking great as always, and love your collection! xo

Natasha
9 years ago

I am in love with all that is kantha! Quilts, pillows, placemats. They are all so rich with stories & history. I am also beginning to collect old & new Pendleton blankets.

http:/www.etsy.com/shop/breathesun

Audrey
9 years ago

Girl…you got me all KANTHA CRAZY! I need to work on my collection. Beautiful!

9 years ago

Love the kantha collection!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PatchouliCove

9 years ago

Really amazing Kantha collection, beautiful patterns, and so in fashion right now

9 years ago

Wow beautiful!!

9 years ago

Wow beautiful collection. fashionable in style. Love it.

Sarah
9 years ago

Stunning fabrics and colours! I loved this post. I have a real weakness for collecting used & vintage kitchenware, especially platters, casserole dishes and so on. I love thinking of the wonderful meals that have been served in them in years past, with people gathered around…

9 years ago

I loved collecting things but now I’m more artist than collector.

My biggest proud is postcard collection from all over the world! I have hundreds of postcards thanks to postcrossing.com

I also adore wildlife and wild animals (foxes, owls and deers!) I wish to meet them in the woods!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/wildcity

laura
8 years ago

I have some particularly beautiful Kanthas for sale at my shop on Etsy, they are a little bit different in that they are lovely and thick and the edges, rather being left ragged have been bound with silk and grosgrain ribbon binding. I selected them all personally, and the quality is lovely :)
Do have a look!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/fatlama?ref=hdr_shop_menu

jen
8 years ago

I love to decorate with my art. I paint animals like owls, deer, birds etc. and you can view some of my work here: http://www.modernfolkartist.com

jen
8 years ago

This link is clickable: http://www.modernfolkartist.com

6 years ago

JK Handicraft Industries is the Leading exportor from india selling Vintage Kantha quilt across globe. We believe in authenticity and
quality of product. We are the wholesalers of vintage Kantha Quilt in India. Quality is in our culture.

6 years ago

Hey,

This is rally an awesome post I will definately going to share your
words to my family and frineds.
Please keep posting such article.

Regards
Manoj

6 years ago

This is awesome. I personally love kantha and kantha made products a lot.

Regards,
Maniona

5 years ago

I love Kantha Quilts – I am sitting on my couch on a lazy Sunday with one as we speak – it is by Vintagekanthaquilt.com – you should check out their collection (https://www.vintagekanthaquilt.com/product-category/vintage-kantha-quilts/). We actually just started carrying some of her Kantha scarves at my shop in India. Always love reading your blog.

5 years ago

First time i saw such type of blog on kantha quilts. it is very impressing. It is a pride of Bengali women and you are promoting it. so keep it up.