Sunday 1 November 2020

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 151: Bengali Petal Stitch

Today's stitch was found on YouTube, and has the heading: 

Nakshi Katha - Hand Emboridery Amazing Trick #12 - Super Embroidery Trick With Ice Cream Stick.

There is no name for the stitch itself, and the description is a bit of a handful. 

Nakshi Katha, or Kantha, is a form of embroidered quilt made from old and worn out clothing, usually saris. This is a Bengali textile tradition from Bangladesh and parts of India, of layering and quilting several saris together with a running stitch in intricate designs. 
Like the Japanese boro and sashiko was a way of giving new life to old and worn clothes, so must Kantha have been the obvious recycling of Bengali cloth. 
It is interesting to see how these old techniques used out of necessity, have become fiber art, pursued by many modern quilters today.

I have digressed far enough, we needed to find a name for this stitch. 
It is quite similar to a stitch we have used previously, #101 Rose Leaf Stitch. 
#101 - Rose Leaf Stitch


One important difference is that Rose Leaf Stitch needs to be turned inside out, which is rather tricky.

I will take it upon myself to name today's stitch Bengali Petal Stitch. If you know an official name, please let me know.

Here are my photo instructions for the Bengali Petal Stitch:

You need (preferably) plain weave fabric,
a sharp tipped needle, threads in two colours,
and an ice cream stick.

Stand the ice cream stick on the fabric and
stitch long loops over the ice cream stick.
Fasten the thread on the back.

Change to another colour and take a few
more stitches.

Leave a gap before you make the
last stitch.

Pull the needle through the loops
with the help of the stick.

Pull through.

Remove the stick.

Push the loops flat towards the tip.
Anchor the needle where the star is.

For good measure, make another 
anchoring stitch.

A Bengali Petal.


Why not make more Bengali 
Petals with some French Knots 
in the centre.
                                          


Homework:
These Celestial Eyelet Stars want the company of Bengali Petals!

















8 comments:

Angela said...

I have done a similar stitch, not sure of the name. I definitely want to try this one using two colours of thread!

crazyQstitcher said...

Thanks for sharing the video- the finished flower is lovely. I
made your Rose Leaf stitch earlier with 3 colours and will work on the new one today.

Rachel said...

It's a charming stitch.

Janie said...

That is a dramatic stitch, making a beautiful petal.
Good tutorial, it doesn't look difficult, just fiddly.

FlashinScissors said...

A very pretty stitch Queenie!
Not sure I’d use it, most of my stitching is on every day things and I think that would easily catch and spoil! But certainly very nice for decoration, and fairly easy to stitch too!
Hugs,
Barbara xx

Pamela said...

You find so many interesting stitches!

Tanya said...

That is such a beautiful stitch! Think of all the floral motifs it can be added to! Love it!

carorose said...

There are some very interesting stitches originating in India.