Creative Machine Kantha – Tricia Warman

Tricia takes inspiration from traditional Kantha and puts her own twist on it using the sewing machine in a most lovely way, delicate and delightful. In this workshop we will layer and overlap small scraps of fabric and then machine small areas intensively, changing direction and colour frequently. A central image may be found already on a piece of fabric or a new one sourced and worked into your design.
Kantha is the name given to hand quilted and embroidered cloth, originally made from recycled fabric (often sari fabric) in India, Bihar, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Running stitch creates the decorative elements in Kanthas, as well as holding the quilt ‘sandwich’ together permanently. The stitching is often in dense linear patterns, sometimes white stitching on white fabric, often using motifs to bring good luck.
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
Machine – with embroidery foot for free machining
Approximately 25/30cm sq of backing fabric ( I use flannel but this can be old sheeting/curtain lining , wadding can be used to give a softer appearance)
Lots of fabric scraps – look out for any images or interesting text for example on a cloth selvedge / label. 
Variety of machine threads
Embroidery threads/button/beads – to add embellishment.