Banjaras or the nomadic tribes of India have typical embroidery styles influenced by many cultures, themes and availability of raw material. Their clothers are embellished with intricate mirror work and bead work. Shells, ivory beads, and colorful threads are a treat to the senses.

The banjaras though gradually coming in the main stream still tend to keep in touch with their traditional crafts. The needle craft that was earlier limited to colorful traditional skirts (ghagra), blouses and men’s jackets can now be seen on bags, belts, bead spreads wall hangings and living room decors.

Peyote stitch is probably the most used beading stitch in seed bead work. It can also be one of the most frustrating beading stitches to learn.Peyote stitch is a basic bead weaving technique used to create beaded pieces without a loom (off-loom bead weaving). The name peyote comes from early Native American rituals. An early form of the stitch was used to create beaded objects for use in religious ceremonies that included the used of the peyote cactus. Although modern peyote stitch is different from the techniques used by early Native Americans and African artists, the name has remained. The original peyote stitch used by Native Americans is what is now known as the gourd stitch.

This stitch allows the beader to create a beaded fabric without a loom or visible thread. By zigzagging the thread thru offset rows of beads, any size or shape can be created. The offset alignment achieved with peyote stitches give texture and interest to beaded jewelry and accessories. Learning the peyote stitch is usually easier than it looks. It

The beautiful quilting stitch. Actually the stitch is simple running stitch. It is the way it has been used that makes it extra ordinary. The cloth was given layers that were kept together by the stitches. The cloth had multiple uses. It could be used to sleep on or as a light blanket. Kantha for the Bengali folk means embroidered quilt. Kantha is said to be dorukha meaning turning the worn out and old textiles and fabrics to things of beauty.

History of Kantha
Kantha evolved out of necessity to drape or protect against cold. Kontha on Sanskrit means rags. It can rightly be called the recycling art. The precious silks and muslins when became worn-out, women instead of throwing them away, piled them in layers and stitched.Another legend relates kantha origin to lord Buddha and his disciples. It is said that they used to cover themselves with the thrown away rags patched and stitched together.

The oldest reference to Kantha is in Sri Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita” by Krishnadas Kaviraj Which was written some 500 years back. Kantha was said to be a lady’s self expression. The real kantha narrates a story, the emotions and the life of the artist.

Process and Stitches of Kantha
The process involves laying the worn clothes in layers and stitching them together. Though the stitch used is variations of running stitch, the motifs can range from being simple to very intricate. It is a typical example of how a simple stitch can create elaborate motifs. Usually the motifs are gods and goddesses, flowers, animals or geometric patterns that means it can be anything the worker can relate to. There are seven different types of kantha based on how it is made and the end use.

Archilata kantha are small, covers for mirrors or toilet accessories with wide, colorful borders

Baiton kantha are square wraps used for covering books and other valuables. They have elaborate borders

Durjani/thalia these are quilted wallets made out of rectangular kantha pieces

Lep kantha are rectangular wraps heavily padded to make warm quilts. The whole piece is stitched in a wavy pattern. Simple embroidery is done on the finished quilt.

Oaar kantha are pillow covers in simple designs. A decorative border is sewn afterwards.

Sujani kantha are decorative quilted kantha used as blankets or spreads during religious rituals or other occasions. This started in 18th century in Bihar.

Rumal kantha are used as absorbent wipes or plate coverings. They also feature a central lotus with ornamented borders.

The various patterns are called jaal, jhod, jhinga phool, dhan chori, golak dhaga and many others all created by different placements of the running stitch.