Creative Design: Professional

Crafting Community: A Kantha-Inspired Approach to Addressing Academic Loneliness

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Abstract

This design explores the potential of collaborative crafting to combat academic loneliness, particularly among female faculty. Drawing inspiration from traditional Kantha techniques, we created a gender-neutral jacket using naturally dyed fabric remnants and hand-stitched running stitches. Three female academics in an apparel design program met regularly to co-create the textile and garment, using the repetitive stitching process to foster dialogue, mutual support, and creative exchange. The project not only resulted in a visually cohesive, Kantha-inspired jacket, but also cultivated a space for connection beyond academic roles. Our collaboration sparked new pedagogical ideas, including a proposed course centered on community, crafting, and activism. It also led to a stronger sense of community among instructors and students within the program. This project illustrates how communal crafting can serve as a powerful, sustainable intervention for academic loneliness and offers a replicable model for community-building in higher education.

Keywords: Academic Loneliness, Kantha, Crafting, Community, Sustainability

How to Cite:

Pokorny, C. G., Dahunsi, B. & Dickson, M., (2025) “Crafting Community: A Kantha-Inspired Approach to Addressing Academic Loneliness”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21412