Vintage Kantha Bagru Block Print Blanket

A vintage kantha blanket, hand embroidered and made with Bagru block-printed cotton. Kantha is a centuries-old craft from Bengal in eastern India, in which layers of worn, soft cloth are joined with rows of hand-stitched running stitch, giving old fabric a second life. The result is a soft, textured blanket with a lived-in feel, and no two pieces are alike.

The cloth carries the pattern of Bagru block printing, a traditional hand printing craft from Rajasthan in which carved wooden blocks are stamped by hand onto cotton.

Use it as a blanket, a throw for the sofa or bed, or as a thick tablecloth.

Choose your design

Every blanket is a one-of-a-kind piece with its own print and colours. Pick your favourite from the photos, one of each design.

About kantha

The word kantha is often linked to a Sanskrit word for "rags", and it describes a patched cloth. In rural Bengal, women did not throw away worn saris and dhotis. They layered the soft, used cloth and stitched it together with simple running stitches, creating quilts, blankets and wraps for their families. Even the thread was traditionally pulled from old sari borders. The small stitches ripple across the surface, giving every kantha its own texture and pattern. It is one of India's oldest examples of sustainable reuse, turning old cloth into something to treasure rather than waste.

About Bagru block printing

Bagru is a small town near Jaipur in Rajasthan, known for its hand block printing. Patterns are stamped onto cotton with carved wooden blocks dipped in dye, and the printer lines up each impression by eye. The motifs are typically bold, often floral or geometric.

Details

• Material: cotton
• Hand embroidered kantha stitching
• Bagru block print
• Vintage cloth, so each piece is unique, with signs of age
• Size: approximately 178 x 203 cm (70 x 80 inches), give or take 10 cm. Sizes vary slightly from piece to piece.