Harjit Sohotey-Khan is the founder of Jewelled Buddha, an ethical fashion brand in the UK that sells Indian inspired artisan made clothing and accessories.

Handmade and one-of-a-kind our Kantha scarves have a rich history. Originating in Bangladesh and West Bengal, Kantha stitching is believed to go as far back as a thousand years. For centuries, Indian women have been upcycling preloved saris into soft kantha quilts by layering and stitching them together with a Kantha running stitch. Born out of necessity and traditionally utilitarian, Kantha has been passed down through generations of families, from mother to daughter and has always been a creative and express craft that celebrates life’s events.

Fast forward to today and Kantha has evolved into a craft that is now used by international designers. There’s dizzying choice of Kantha scarves available on the market. But how do you know you're buying a genuine, handmade, Kantha sari scarf? Here's our essential guide to choosing an authentic Kantha scarf that’s perfect for gifting or as an essential wardrobe staple.

Who doesn't love a two for one deal!

When shopping for Kantha scarves, choose one that has two layers of sari material. Who wants a thin, flimsy, lifeless scarf that just hangs around your neck. A scarf with a double layer drapes beautifully, holds its shape and provides support for the intricate Kantha stitching.  Plus, two different layers means you’ve got a scarf that’s versatile and can be worn in so many ways.

A match made in heaven 

The difference between a average Kantha scarf and a truly stunning Kantha scarf, is how well the two layers of fabric compliment each other. I've seen scarves with patterns and colours that clash and just don't work in harmony with each other. That means you’ll find it hard to style and coordinate with your outfits. Before you know it, you’ll fall out of love with your scarf and it’ll end up at the back of your wardrobe. A lot of time and skill goes into deciding how the designs and colours of our scarves are put together. Our sari’s are carefully handpicked with the intention of ensuring colours compliment one another so that you can wear and style them effortlessly. This makes all the difference to the overall look. A well put together Kantha Sari scarf will prove to be the perfect wardrobe staple that can be worn all year round.

On the straight and narrow

The Kantha running stitch gives the scarf a luxurious, quilted texture. A sign of good quality craftsmanship is attention to detail, so look for stitches that are small, straight, neat and close together. Overly large, uneven stitching will overpower the design of the sari fabric and lend a chaotic look to the overall finish.

Thread giveaway

A quality Kantha scarf stitched with a high quality cotton thread will last for years, keep its shape and not fall apart after a few washes. Look at the thickness of the thread and ensure it doesn't have too much give when gently pulled or stretched. Our scarves are stitched with thread that compliments the colours of the sari fabric so that the overall aesthetic is cohesive and pretty.

The proof is in the washing

So you've decided to hand wash your Kantha scarf. To your horror, your sink looks like something out of the film Psycho! A good quality Kantha scarf will not leach colour. Think about it, the scarf used to be a sari right? So it must have been washed countless times before. Only Kantha scarves that have been dyed with inferior dyes will bleed colour into one another. Our scarves remain vibrant after washing, never fade or shrink. Remember, treasure your Kantha silk sari scarf with a gentle hand wash. Don't soak or wring it and always dry in the shade. If you're nervous about washing a Kantha scarf you have, simply get it dry cleaned.

Is it really handmade?

A fully handmade Kantha Scarf should be handstitched all the way to the edges. A dead giveaway that you are buying something inferior in quality is the overlock stitch on the edges of the scarf made by a sewing machine. It really makes a difference to how the scarf drapes when the seams are beautifully finished by hand. It takes our Kantha artisans two weeks to complete one of our Kantha scarves. It really is a labour of love.

Why we love our Kantha sari scarves

Well, they simply make us happy! Beautifully vibrant, with crazy intricate stitching, you can dress our Kantha scarves up or down. They add a gorgeous pop of colour to any outfit and the quality is second to none. Timeless and elegant, they make you feel special and most of all the story behind them is so rich and diverse. Plus each scarf bears the embroidered signature of the artisan that created it. A lovely sentiment that shows the journey of a vintage sari beautifully transformed into a pretty scarf. Every purchase enables rural artisan communities to earn a sustainable income that in turn helps them to invest in the education and health of their families. They make the most exquisite gifts for those whose travels of India evoke memories of colour and rich traditions of artistry.

We now also have a collection of Nakshi Kantha scarves which are intricately embroidered onto Tussar Silk for women who love wearable art and love a touch of artisanal influence on their clothing.

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