Kantha, the traditional embroidery of Bengal is a household craft, practiced by the rural women of Bengal. Referred to as the thrift craft, it takes form from layers of old cotton dhotis/sarees painstakingly embroidered with threads drawn out from the saree border for softness. The range includes bedspreads, wall hangings, cushion covers, bags, saris, stoles & scarves. Today single layered kantha using new silk cloth and thread is made into shawls, stoles etc.

Originally kanthas used to be done using three layers of  old soft white cotton cloth. The whole kantha is needled painstakingly and extensively with exquisite quilt stitches  in white thread. Thereafter the desired design (nakshi) is embroidered over the base. This creates a very sophisticated effect. Its real value lies in its fine craftsmanship and vignettes of daily life – folk motifs being the favourite of the embroiderers. In many areas of West Bengal women are doing kantha embroidery on a single layer of silk cloth to meet contemporary fashion/market demands but the embroiderers associated with the Crafts Council of West Bengal continue to produce some three-layered quilted museum quality kantha items along with these single layered varieties.