Kantha Stitch Cushion Cover

A Kantha stitch cushion cover is made by hand-embroidering rows of small running stitches across cotton until the whole surface takes on a gentle wrinkled texture. The craft comes from rural West Bengal, where women traditionally stitched old saris together into quilts; today the same stitch is worked on new cotton for export homeware. One 18 inch cover can take two to four days of stitching depending on how dense the pattern is.

We offer two looks. The first is all-over parallel Kantha lines in a contrasting thread on a solid ground, which is clean and modern. The second is the motif style, with leaves, birds or a central sun worked in coloured thread, closer to the traditional nakshi Kantha. Both are finished with a zip and can be backed with plain cotton to control cost.

Specifications

Who Buys Kantha Cushions

Kantha sells well in bohemian and coastal interiors, in gift shops and in sustainable fashion stores that also carry homeware. The texture is the hook: customers touch it, and that sells it. In my experience the line-Kantha version in mustard, indigo or rust works best for chains, while the motif style suits independent boutiques that can explain the craft on a tag.

Export Supply and Freight

Kantha is labour heavy, so lead times are longer than for printed covers, typically 45 to 60 days after sample approval for a full order. We collect from self-help groups, check stitch density and seams, press, poly-bag and carton-pack each cover. Shipments go out of Kolkata or are trucked to Nhava Sheva for consolidation, priced ex-factory, FOB, CFR or CIF.

Questions

What are the key specifications of the Kantha stitch cushion cover?

Cotton base of roughly 140 GSM, hand running-stitch embroidery in cotton thread, zip or envelope closure, in 16, 18 and 20 inch sizes. Silk-base Kantha is available as a premium option.

Will every piece look identical?

No. Stitch spacing and thread tension vary slightly from one artisan to the next, so each cover is unique within the approved design. We hold lots to an approved reference sample.

How does Kantha compare with the Ajrakh cushion cover?

Ajrakh is printed and flat, with bold geometry, while Kantha is embroidered and textured. Ajrakh usually comes in faster and at a lower cost per piece, so many buyers mix both in one order.

Can you put my brand label on the cushion?

Yes. We sew in your woven label and attach your printed swing tag and barcode under our private label service at no change to the production route.

What information do you need to quote the Kantha stitch cushion cover?

Style (line or motif), colours, sizes, quantity per design, closure preference, labelling and destination port. With those details we price the Kantha stitch cushion cover ex-factory, FOB, CFR or CIF to your port.