Founded in 2022 by Shradha Chhajlani Bachhawat, XLove transforms personal photographs into intricate, hand-stitched portraits—each one a labor of love and artistry. What started as a pandemic pastime for Shradha, a trained software engineer turned creative entrepreneur, has grown into a purpose-led brand that blends technology, tradition, and empowerment. At its heart, XLove is about capturing memories—one carefully placed stitch at a time.
From Passion Project to Purposeful Brand.
Shradha first revisited cross-stitching during the stillness of the pandemic. A hobby from her school years quickly became a creative escape from the everyday mundane. With no opportunity for a professional career, she began stitching for her children and family—eventually creating a portrait of her husband for his 40th birthday. That single experiment unlocked something deeper: the potential to merge creativity with purpose.
Soon after, XLove was born. Leveraging her technical background, Shradha developed a system for transforming photographs into cross-stitch patterns. She personally hand-selected color palettes and designed each layout, gradually gaining her first customers through word-of-mouth. The brand quickly carved a niche: highly personalized, handcrafted portraits that evoke emotion and detail in ways few art forms can.
Empowering Women Through Creative Skill-Building.
What truly sets XLove apart is its social impact. Today, Shradha leads a team of 30 to 35 women from rural Bengal—many of whom had never stitched before. It started with her child’s nanny, who became the first trainee. She went on to teach others in her village, sparking a ripple effect of opportunity and empowerment.
These women work remotely from their homes, staying connected with Shradha via WhatsApp and video calls. The model is intentionally flexible, offering dignity and income without forcing them to leave their communities. “These women are artists now,” Shradha says proudly. “That’s the power of belief and access.”
Creating Heirloom Art with Heart and Soul
Each XLove portrait takes 5 to 6 weeks to complete using the meticulous method of counted cross-stitch. Starting with a blank canvas—no printed fabric—every stitch is manually counted and placed with patience and precision. The aim is always to capture the emotional essence of the subject, whether it’s a birthday surprise, a generational legacy, or a tribute to a loved one.
One customer commissioned a portrait for herself and her husband and later ordered 7–8 more to immortalize her extended family in thread—a testament to the emotional resonance behind each piece. While celebrity collaborations have added visibility, Shradha remains selective. “We’re not just making portraits,” she says. “We’re preserving stories. That’s sacred work.”
To Know more visit Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/love.xstitch?igsh=MXBpMDRqeW5oeTI1MQ==
To read more startup stories visit- https://thebusinesspress.in/