This stole is hand embroidered on recycled silk sari fabric. The embroidery is called Nakshi Kantha; a more complex form of the regular Kantha work made with the running stitch.

The scarf is 90cm x 235cm and can be styled with both classic and casual outfits. An eye-catcher on both a dark and light outfit.

Reusing sarees

Reusing silk sarees is a very old tradition in India. The sari, the national dress of Hindustani women in India, is about 6 meters long. Silk sarees are a precious possession. They stay in the family for a long time and pass from mother to daughter. But at a good time they go out the door anyway. Then the sari is sold to the local pot-and-pan woman, or traded for cooking utensils.

Fairly Paid Kantha

Kantha scarves are popular worldwide. Unfortunately, many of these scarves are made by women who are not or hardly paid for it. We buy our scarves from an NGO that pays women fairly for their work. The women embroider at home, in their village. Once a month they take the bus to the village where their 'didi', the woman who founded this organization, receives them. They receive a fixed price for the type of embroidery (simple or complex) per meter.

Kantha embroiderers in West Bengal

Embroidering kantha on silk is a difficult job because the silk is rather “slippery”. Making a large scarf like this with more complex Kantha stitches (Nakshi Kantha) takes about 30 to 40 days, depending on how many hours a day the women work on it. On average they embroider about 3 hours a day.