Nakshi Kantha
The nakshi kantha is the embroidered quilt of Bengal, sewn by village women from stacked layers of old saris and dhotis and covered with running stitch in patterns of flowers, birds, animals, boats and scenes of daily life. The name comes from the fine nakshi stitching, and the needlework is built up by hand so that the whole surface becomes a picture, with borders, corner motifs and a central lotus or mandala medallion. A kantha made for a bride is a gift of love and skill, and the making of kanthas is passed between mothers, daughters and granddaughters, each woman adding motifs from memory