Who they are
The makers are the members of the Stitching Club at aikyam space. They are a community group in Fort Kochi, Kerala, India. They work together, and they share their work as a group.
Facilitator
Shabana K H is the facilitator of the Stitching Club at aikyam space.
Shabana supports community building, outreach, and livelihood programs at aikyam space. Her work centres on connecting people and enabling sustainable opportunities.
Read Shabana’s profile on aikyam fellows (opens in a new tab).
How they made Kantha
The makers tested every version of the Kantha studio in their sessions and told us what to change. Its features come from the way they work. They co-designed the patterns and how the squares are arranged.
What they make
The makers use offcuts from local tailor shops and boutiques. They cut the cloth into squares and stitch the squares into panels by hand. A panel can go in a frame or on a tote bag.
Each square is cut 6 × 6 cm. Once it is stitched in place, 4 × 4 cm of it shows. The makers plan each panel in the Kantha studio before they sew.
How they learn together
The makers learn by trying things side by side. They test different stitch spacings and thread thicknesses, then compare the results for neatness and finish. They also keep trial designs and look back at them to see how their work has improved. Makers mentor one another.
Where to go next
- Read the case study to see how the club works, step by step, with its dates.