Otomi, Suzani, Kantha, Ikat: What’s the Difference?
Traditional textiles can make a room. Here’s how to spot some favorite styles from around the world
Laura Gaskill
October 2, 2014
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Each of these global textile traditions has a loyal following among decorators, but which is which? If you want to bump up your textile IQ, check out this short course on otomi, suzani, kantha, and ikat — and learn how to identify each one, once and for all.
Otomi
These gorgeous textiles are handmade by the Otomi, a group of people indigenous to central Mexico. The designs typically feature stylized animals and botanical forms, hand embroidered in rich colors on a white background. Some are done in a single hue, like the one shown here, while others are a riot of colors.
These gorgeous textiles are handmade by the Otomi, a group of people indigenous to central Mexico. The designs typically feature stylized animals and botanical forms, hand embroidered in rich colors on a white background. Some are done in a single hue, like the one shown here, while others are a riot of colors.
Otomi textiles make wonderful throws, bedspreads, table coverings, wall hangings and even upholstery.
See more of this colorful Ft. Williams, Texas, home
See more of this colorful Ft. Williams, Texas, home
Traditional Otomi designs have also been used on other products, including the Hygge & West Otomi wallpaper shown here.
Suzani
The word “suzani” comes from a Persian word meaning “needle”; the textile is another intricate, hand-embroidered one. Suzani textiles come from central Asia, near Uzbekistan, where they have been traditionally made by groups of women working collaboratively on each piece.
The word “suzani” comes from a Persian word meaning “needle”; the textile is another intricate, hand-embroidered one. Suzani textiles come from central Asia, near Uzbekistan, where they have been traditionally made by groups of women working collaboratively on each piece.
The stylized botanical motifs of suzani textiles are often arranged in mandala-like patterns, with vines meandering between the mandalas. Suzanis are versatile textiles, often used on beds, as loose coverings for sofas and as tablecloths and wall hangings.
Kantha
Kantha is the name of a particular type of decorative embroidery popular in India and Bangladesh. But when you hear about kantha today, it is usually in reference to kantha quilts, textiles made using the kantha stitch.
Kantha is the name of a particular type of decorative embroidery popular in India and Bangladesh. But when you hear about kantha today, it is usually in reference to kantha quilts, textiles made using the kantha stitch.
Like the traditional American quilts of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, kantha quilts make use of scrap material — though in this case it is scraps of sari fabric.
The scraps of sari fabric are cut and pieced together, often in exciting color combinations, and stitched together using the kantha stitch, a form of running stitch that uses the quilting thread as a decorative element.
The scraps of sari fabric are cut and pieced together, often in exciting color combinations, and stitched together using the kantha stitch, a form of running stitch that uses the quilting thread as a decorative element.
Kantha quilts are usually lightweight, making them perfect summer bed covers and throws. Kantha textiles can also be used to cover pillows, poufs and other small furnishings.
Ikat
Ikat textiles come from around the world and have been made in various forms since ancient times. Basically intricate forms of tie-dye, true ikat textiles are made by highly skilled weavers, who hand tie and individually dye small bundles of threads before weaving them on a loom. The hand dyeing is what gives ikat its distinctive color-bleeding look.
Ikat textiles come from around the world and have been made in various forms since ancient times. Basically intricate forms of tie-dye, true ikat textiles are made by highly skilled weavers, who hand tie and individually dye small bundles of threads before weaving them on a loom. The hand dyeing is what gives ikat its distinctive color-bleeding look.
Of course today, you are more likely to find ikat designs printed on fabric than the handmade textile, which is far more labor intensive to produce.
See more of Manhattan apartment
See more of Manhattan apartment
Cheat sheet:
More: Kilim, Flokati, Beni Ourain, Boucherouite — What’s the Difference?
- Otomi: Comes from Mexico; hand-embroidered animal motifs in rich colors on a white background
- Suzani: From central Asia; hand-embroidered multicolored textiles featuring mandala-like designs
- Kantha: From India and Bangladesh; hand-embroidered quilts pieced together using scraps of colorful saris
- Ikat: Found around the world; handwoven and intricately tie-dyed, with a distinctive color-bleed look
More: Kilim, Flokati, Beni Ourain, Boucherouite — What’s the Difference?
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Ikat design originates I believe from SE Asia, I lived there for 8 years and had quite a collection of Ikat designs. the Ikat design was woven into the Iban tribe (from Sarawak) bags and also hand block printed onto fabrics. I painted a bag and tribal fabric once in watercolours, (below).
Today they have taken aspects of the design and incorporated into beautiful fabrics, my favourite is in blue and white tones although the original colours were more browns and reds from natural vegetable dyes.
fabulous