An introduction to kantha
Kantha is a traditional textile made by layering reclaimed cotton saris and stitching them together by hand. Each piece carries the marks of its previous life. Faded areas, colour variations, small repairs and uneven stitching are all part of the fabric’s story.
These quirks are exactly what make kantha so special. No two pieces are ever the same, and every garment holds layers of history, craftsmanship and care. Over time, as kantha is worn and loved, those stories continue to evolve. Thinner patches appear, colours soften, and certain areas show more wear than others. This isn’t a flaw. It’s part of the journey.
Why patching matters
Patching is a simple and beautiful way to extend the life of your kantha pieces. It allows you to care for your clothing rather than discard it, keeping it wearable for many more years to come.
You might choose to patch a piece to cover a small hole, reinforce a well loved area that’s thinning, soften the look of a dye variation, or even hide a print section that no longer feels like you. Patching can be subtle, or bold and expressive. There’s no right or wrong way to do it.
At its heart, patching is about repair, creativity and respect for the materials we work with.
How to patch your kantha pieces
Step 1. Choose your patch fabric
Select a piece of kantha to use as your patch. You can choose something in complementary colours to blend in, or a contrasting print if you’d like to make a statement.
Step 2. Cut your patch
Cut your patch to size, allowing roughly 1cm extra on each side. Fold the edges under so there are no raw edges showing.
Step 3. Position and pin
Place the patch over the area you want to cover and pin it in place. This helps keep everything secure while you sew.
Step 4. Stitch it down
Using a sewing machine or a needle and thread, sew a tight running stitch around the outside edge of your patch. We’ve included a video below if you’d like a refresher on how to do a running stitch.
Step 5. Enjoy your handiwork
That’s it. Your kantha is patched and ready to be worn, loved and lived in for longer.
Repairing as an act of sustainability
Unlike fast fashion brands, we truly want you to be able to repair and rewear your Renew pieces for years to come. Patching is one small but powerful way to reduce the volume of garments ending up in landfill and support a more circular approach to fashion.
Every repair adds another layer to the story of your garment. And in our eyes, that only makes it more beautiful.
In the spirit of sustainability we also wanted to share that some of our beautiful customers run an active buy-swap-trade group exclusively for your Renew Bohemian items. To keep involved with our lovely kantha community and gain access to community-only bonuses be sure to join our Facebook group, and subscribe to our mailing list to be notified when new releases drop.
