Fabric & Print Guide

Ajrakh Print

Kutch (Gujarat) and Barmer (Rajasthan)

Deep indigo and madder-red geometric prints made through many rounds of resist printing and natural dyeing.

🧺 Wash separately in cold water; colour softens beautifully over time.

All Over Print

The print covers the whole garment evenly.

🧺 Follow the care of the fabric.

Bagh Print

Bagh, Madhya Pradesh

Red and black geometric and floral block prints on a white base, made with natural dyes.

🧺 Cold hand wash, dry in shade.

Bagru Print

Bagru, near Jaipur

Earthy reds, blacks and browns from natural dyes, printed with wooden blocks by the Chhipa community. Bagru printing as a craft is GI-registered.

🧺 Wash separately in cold water the first few times.

Bandhani

Rajasthan & Gujarat

Tie-dye art: tiny points of cloth are tied tightly with thread before dyeing, creating dotted patterns.

🧺 Dry clean first wash, then gentle cold hand wash.

Batik

India & Indonesia

Wax is applied on cloth before dyeing; the wax resists colour and creates fine crackle lines.

🧺 Cold hand wash.

Chikankari

Lucknow

Delicate white-on-white hand embroidery from Lucknow; the craft is GI-registered.

🧺 Gentle hand wash or dry clean.

Dabu Print

Rajasthan

A mud-resist print: a paste of clay, gum and lime is blocked onto cloth before dyeing, leaving soft, crackled patterns.

🧺 Cold hand wash, mild soap, dry in shade.

Digital Print

India

Designs printed directly by machine, allowing rich detail and many colours.

🧺 Gentle cold wash, dry in shade.

Embroidered

India

Thread work added by hand or machine for texture and detail.

🧺 Gentle hand wash inside-out or dry clean.

Floral Print

Flower motifs in any technique – the most loved print family for kurtis.

🧺 Follow the care of the fabric.

Foil Print

India

Metallic foil pressed onto the fabric for a festive shine.

🧺 Hand wash inside-out, do not iron on the foil.

Gota Patti

Rajasthan

Gold or silver ribbon (gota) cut into shapes and hand-stitched onto fabric – a Rajasthani festive classic.

🧺 Dry clean recommended.

Hand Block Print

Rajasthan

Wooden blocks are hand-carved, dipped in colour and pressed onto the fabric one by one. Small shifts in each print show it was made by hand.

🧺 Gentle hand wash in cold water, dry in shade.

Hand Painted

India

Each motif is painted by hand with a brush – no two pieces are the same.

🧺 Dry clean or gentle cold hand wash.

Ikat

Odisha, Telangana, Gujarat

Threads are tie-dyed before weaving, so the pattern appears with a soft, feathered edge.

🧺 Gentle hand wash or dry clean.

Indigo Dabu

Rajasthan

Dabu mud-resist combined with indigo dyeing for blue-and-white crackle patterns.

🧺 Wash separately in cold water.

Indigo Print

Rajasthan & Gujarat

Patterns printed or resisted on fabric dyed in indigo blue, one of the oldest natural dyes.

🧺 Wash separately, cold water, dry in shade.

Jaipuri Print

Jaipur

The classic Jaipur look: bright florals, buttis and borders, hand block or screen printed.

🧺 Cold wash, dry in shade.

Kalamkari

Andhra Pradesh

'Kalam' means pen: motifs are hand-drawn or block printed with natural dyes, often telling stories from nature and mythology.

🧺 Cold hand wash, avoid strong detergent.

Kantha

West Bengal

Running-stitch embroidery that forms soft, rippled patterns.

🧺 Gentle hand wash.

Kutch Work

Kutch, Gujarat

Dense, colourful embroidery often with mirrors, from the Kutch region.

🧺 Dry clean.

Lace Work

Lace trims or panels on hems, sleeves and yokes.

🧺 Gentle hand wash.

Leheriya

Rajasthan

'Lehar' means wave: cloth is rolled and tied diagonally before dyeing to make wave-like stripes. Loved for Teej and monsoon.

🧺 Cold hand wash, dry in shade.

Madhubani Print

Bihar

Folk-art motifs of nature and festivals inspired by Madhubani painting.

🧺 Cold hand wash.

Mirror Work

Rajasthan & Gujarat

Small mirrors stitched into embroidery that catch the light.

🧺 Dry clean or very gentle hand wash.

Mughal Print

Rajasthan

Motifs inspired by Mughal art: flowering plants, vines and arches in fine detail.

🧺 Cold hand wash.

Phulkari

Punjab

Bright floral embroidery in silk thread – 'phul' means flower.

🧺 Dry clean.

Pichwai Print

Nathdwara, Rajasthan

Lotus, cows and temple motifs inspired by Pichwai painting.

🧺 Cold hand wash.

Pintuck

Fine stitched folds that add texture without extra embellishment.

🧺 Follow the care of the fabric.

Sanganeri Print

Sanganer, Jaipur

Fine floral and paisley motifs printed by hand on a light or white base. Sanganeri printing as a craft is GI-registered.

🧺 Cold hand wash, dry inside-out in shade.

Screen Print

India

Colour is pushed through a fine mesh screen; crisp, even prints at an easy price.

🧺 Machine wash gentle, cold.

Sequin Work

India

Sequins stitched on for sparkle at parties and weddings.

🧺 Dry clean.

Shibori / Tie-Dye

Japan-inspired, made in India

Fabric is folded, twisted or bound before dyeing for soft, unique patterns.

🧺 Wash separately in cold water.

Solid / Plain

A single colour, no print – easy to style with printed dupattas and bottoms.

🧺 Follow the care of the fabric.

Thread Work

India

Colourful thread embroidery on necklines, sleeves or all over.

🧺 Gentle hand wash inside-out.

Zari Work

India

Metallic gold or silver thread embroidery for festive wear.

🧺 Dry clean.

georgette

cotton

Art Silk

Synthetic

Silk-like look and shine at an easy price.

🧺 Gentle hand wash or dry clean.

Bamboo

Semi-natural

Very soft, breathable and kind to the skin.

🧺 Gentle cold wash.

Banarasi

Varanasi

Rich woven fabric often with zari motifs – a wedding favourite.

🧺 Dry clean only.

Cambric Cotton

Natural

Fine, tightly woven, smooth cotton that holds block prints crisply.

🧺 Cold wash, iron medium.

Chanderi

Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh

Light, sheer handloom fabric with a soft shine. Chanderi weaving is GI-registered.

🧺 Dry clean recommended.

Chanderi Silk

Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh

Chanderi woven with silk for a richer sheen – perfect for festivals.

🧺 Dry clean.

Chiffon

Synthetic / silk

Sheer, very light and floaty.

🧺 Gentle hand wash or dry clean.

Cotton

Natural

Soft, breathable and skin-friendly – the best everyday fabric for Indian summers.

🧺 Cold wash; may shrink slightly on the first wash.

Cotton Blend

Blend

Cotton mixed with another fibre for less wrinkling and more strength.

🧺 Cold wash.

Cotton Flex

Blend

Cotton with a little stretch for an easy fit.

🧺 Cold wash.

Cotton Linen

Blend

Breathable, textured and cool – a relaxed, premium look.

🧺 Cold wash, iron while damp.

Cotton Silk

Blend

Cotton's comfort with a soft silk sheen – good for festive daywear.

🧺 Gentle hand wash or dry clean.

Cotton Slub

Natural

Cotton with small natural thicker threads (slubs) for a textured, handloom feel.

🧺 Cold wash.

Crepe

Synthetic / blend

Fine crinkled texture that resists wrinkles – good for travel and office.

🧺 Gentle hand wash.

Denim

Cotton

Sturdy twill cotton for casual tunics and dresses.

🧺 Machine wash cold, inside-out.

Dola Silk

Blend

Soft, light silk-like fabric that takes prints and embroidery well.

🧺 Dry clean.

Faux Georgette

Synthetic

Georgette look and flow, easy care.

🧺 Gentle hand wash.

Georgette

Synthetic / silk

Light, flowy and slightly crinkled – great for anarkalis and gowns.

🧺 Gentle hand wash or dry clean.

Hakoba / Schiffli

Fabric with cut-work eyelet embroidery – light and pretty for summer.

🧺 Gentle hand wash.

Jacquard

Pattern is woven into the fabric itself, not printed.

🧺 Gentle hand wash or dry clean.

Khadi

Natural, handspun

Hand-spun and hand-woven fabric – breathable and full of character.

🧺 Gentle hand wash.

Kota Doria

Kota, Rajasthan

Airy, chequered weave (khats) from Kota – light and elegant; the weave is GI-registered.

🧺 Gentle hand wash or dry clean.

Linen

Natural

Made from flax: very breathable, gets softer with every wash.

🧺 Cold wash, iron while damp.

Lycra

Synthetic

Stretch fibre, usually blended for comfort fit.

🧺 Cold wash, no high heat.

Maheshwari

Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh

Light handloom cotton-silk with a reversible border; the weave is GI-registered.

🧺 Dry clean.

Modal

Semi-natural

Very soft, breathable and resistant to shrinking.

🧺 Gentle cold wash.

Modal Silk

Blend

Modal with a silk-like sheen – light and festive.

🧺 Dry clean recommended.

Mul Cotton (Mulmul)

Natural

Very light, airy and soft cotton – feels like a breeze in summer.

🧺 Gentle hand wash, dry in shade.

Muslin

Natural / blend

Soft, finely woven fabric with a gentle sheen.

🧺 Gentle hand wash.

Net

Synthetic

Open mesh fabric used for dupattas and party wear.

🧺 Dry clean.

Organza

Synthetic / silk

Crisp, sheer and structured – often used for dupattas and overlays.

🧺 Dry clean.

Polyester

Synthetic

Strong, wrinkle-resistant and quick to dry.

🧺 Machine wash cold.

Poplin

Natural

Smooth, crisp cotton weave that keeps its shape.

🧺 Machine wash cold.

Pure Cotton

Natural

100% cotton: breathable, absorbent and comfortable all day.

🧺 Cold wash, dry in shade.

Rayon

Semi-natural

Made from wood pulp: smooth, flowy and cool on the skin.

🧺 Gentle cold hand wash; do not wring.

Rayon Slub

Semi-natural

Rayon with a textured slub weave and lovely drape.

🧺 Gentle cold hand wash.

Roman Silk

Synthetic

Soft, slightly stretchy silk-look fabric.

🧺 Gentle hand wash.

Russian Silk

Synthetic

Smooth and shiny with good fall.

🧺 Gentle hand wash or dry clean.

Satin

Synthetic / silk

Glossy, smooth face with luxurious drape.

🧺 Dry clean recommended.

Silk Blend

Blend

Silk mixed with another fibre for sheen and strength.

🧺 Dry clean.

Tencel

Semi-natural

Smooth, breathable fibre made from wood pulp in a closed-loop process.

🧺 Gentle cold wash.

Tissue

Fabric woven with metallic threads for a glowing festive look.

🧺 Dry clean.

Tussar Silk

Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha

Wild silk with a natural gold tone and rich texture.

🧺 Dry clean.

Velvet

Soft, plush pile – rich and warm for winter weddings.

🧺 Dry clean only.

Viscose

Semi-natural

Silky, soft and flowy – drapes beautifully in long kurtis and dresses.

🧺 Gentle cold hand wash or dry clean.

Voile

Natural

Light, semi-sheer cotton that drapes softly.

🧺 Gentle hand wash.

Wool

Natural

Warm natural fibre for winter kurtis.

🧺 Dry clean or wool wash.