The difference between Kantha and Kawandi quilts is that Kantha stitches are quilted in parallel lines with raw edges, while Kawandi is a quilting style where fabric patches are sewn from the outer side towards the middle using running stitches. There are a few similarities and differences between Kantha and Kawandi quilts. Read on below to know one from the other. Kawandi Quilts The Siddis of West India traditionally make Kawandi quilts. They are descendants of the early African immigrants, and enslaved Africans brought to India by the Portuguese. Kawandi is a bright and colorful patchwork quilt made by Siddi women and used as a mattress, quilt, and cover. Kawandi quilts are made of pieces of fabric from old and worn-out garments collected from family and friends or bought from the local used-clothing stores. Siddi women quilters usually use a cotton sari as backing for the quilt. Some Siddi women cut bright-colored clothing into small squares or rectangles called ‘tikeli’ and sew on top of large patches to create layers of contrasting colors. Other Siddi quilters include parts of clothing like a neckline or buttons. Kawandi quilting has a specific technique where you start the quilt at one corner of the sari; then, the fabric patches are worked towards the center with running or back stitches in a spiral manner. The kawandi quilt has a distinct design of four flowers at each corner of the quilt called ‘phulas.’ The kawandi quilt is considered ‘naked’ or unfinished without these ‘phulas.’ Kantha Quilts Kantha refers to the tradition of making unique quilted blankets by creating something beautiful and practical out of old discarded fabrics. The term also denotes the craft and the stitch used on the quilt, a small, straight running stitch. Kantha quilt is a traditional form of embroidery commonly practiced by Bengali women in East Asia, especially in India and Bangladesh, along the Bay of Bengal. Kantha is a Sanskrit word for ‘rags,’ and old cloth is believed to give protection from harm. Quilters usually make Kantha quilts from 2 to 3 layers of recycled Indian vintage saris of either cotton fabric or silk. They normally cover them in running stitches with beautiful animals, flowers, birds, and other designs that show day-to-day activities. Kantha cloth is made into bags, scarves, pillow covers, and tablecloths, aside from warm quilt blankets or bed covers. Traditional and authentic Kantha quilts are handmade. They vary in size, pattern, and color. Both sides of a Kantha quilt are similarly embellished but not identical.