Kheta Embroidery
Embroidery
History
The Shershabadi community has meticulously preserved this art form and passed it down from generation to generation. The craft's name comes from the word ‘Kheta’, meaning ‘field’, symbolizing intricate designs inspired by nature and rural life. Kheta embroidery, a traditional craft practiced by the Shershabadi community in Bihar, India, embodies a sustainable practice that is increasingly relevant in today's world. This intricate form of sewing is traditionally done on hand-woven fabrics and utilizes locally sourced materials such as cotton and silk threads and natural dyes, demonstrating an environmentally friendly approach to textile production.
Raw Materials and Tools
RAW MATERIALS:
- Cotton fabric
- Colored cotton or silk threads
TOOLS:
- Embroidery needles
- Scissors
- Wooden or metal embroidery hoops
- Measuring tape
- Thimbles
Process
The needle is inserted and the thread is secured. The artisan repeats this process again and again to achieve a dense patterning with many thousands of stitches. It is an art that requires great concentration and results in a quilt so densely embroidered that it starts looking like a woven piece of cloth. Each pattern in a Kheta quilt follows a stitch line and is carefully embroidered with precise though intuitive calculation.
Design and Color
The Shershabadi community of Bihar’s Kheta embroidery features motifs such as river ripples, earthworm movements, and betel leaf textures—motifs exclusive to this community. The embroidery uses thread with vibrant colors like red, yellow, and green.
Product Range
The product range of this craft spans hand fans, diaries, shawls, stoles, table runners, and more.