These large vintage scarves are hand embroidered using the traditional Kantha stitch method. The vintage silk saris are first lovingly washed, then hand stitched together by women in India to create these unique and beautiful pieces. The real beauty of these scarves is that they are double sided and each side has a different fabric pattern, making them very unusual and beautiful to wear as you can showcase both sides. This particular style features a small square pattern whereby the craftswomen hand stitch decorative three inch squares into the silk to produce this unique embroidered design. Look closely at the stitch work to see the amazing square pattern carefully stitched in repeating ever smaller squares to create this unique design. Also, different colour embroidery threads are used to create a layered pattern effect. This is a large scarf that can be used in different ways to create styles; wrapped around once or twice or even hanging loose as a shawl. What is Kantha? \'Kantha’ means Patched Cloth. Pronounced “KAHN-taa\".The Kantha stitch is small straight running stitch that is a beautifully simplistic technique that can be compared to the Japanese Sashiko stitching. Both techniques have their roots in recycling and giving new life and purpose to old textiles. Kantha stitch embroidery is one of the most important textile arts in Eastern India. It can be traced back 500 years. Traditionally Bengali women layered together old discarded clothing with the simple Kantha style stitching to make a bedspread or bed cushion, repurposing the old into something useful and protective. These scarves perfectly exhibit the Kantha traditional stitch and are made from recycled silk saris. Every piece is of course unique as different fabrics are used for each. Soft and comfortable to wear as the fabrics have been worn in for you. We would never advocate new silk products but these are vintage. Specifications Approximate size: 190 x 45cm Made in India from vintage silk saris. Cool hand wash. Story Shared Earth\'s mission is to improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged people in developing countries, benefiting local community projects and keeping alive traditional skills that would otherwise be lost. Shared Earth aims: To pay fair prices for products To always offer 50% payment upfront to overseas producers To ensure working conditions are acceptable To provide advice on design and product development To support suppliers and their local communities To avoid child labour To commit to long term relationships with suppliers Read more