fashion, design and old world charm
We’ve all heard of recycling and upcycling, recreating new garments with the old. Following the same principle, there exists an eclectic, beautiful textured handloom textile that is literally a saree recreated by scraps of older sarees! The process is fascinating yet simple…
The warp is with new yarn and the weft is with strips of thin cloth obtained by tearing old sarees length wise. For non textile experts, this simply means that long, thin strips of cloth cut from old … Read Full
A drape from my mother’s closet, this delicate white on black features lucknowi chikankari work – how beautiful a process to imagine, that these delicate motifs were worked on at the back of the sheer georgette to reveal the design on the front face of the fabric with absolute finesse. Here’s a closer look at the detail and stitches used;
I’m going to be talking about two traditional chikan work stitch styles seen in this saree, so here goes…
Aina Mahal, Bhuj. A breathtaking picture of ruins in restoration, these stunningly hand carved trefoil lattices are one face of the palace complex that survived the ravages of the earthquake and represent rich intricate geometric patterns adorning the viewing galleries – a signature of islamic architecture of the time. These patterns, when observed closely, will resonate with a viewer familiar with Ajrak, and this indeed is one of the inspirations behind the motifs and print repeats of the traditional form … Read Full
Everyone wants a piece of the whole gingham and checks hullaboo across runways, designers and department stores! Well, Indian Handlooms have been there and been doing that since a long time now, and what a cool, comfortable drape the gamcha check is!
Gamcha – a word often associated with towels – is a handloom textile woven in north eastern India. Thrown on the shoulder, wrapped around the head or waist, the cotton cloth with a mix of checks and stripes, … Read Full
I’ve stumbled upon treasure for crafty, eco-fashion loving designers, artists and hobby enthusiasts! KnitSilk.com and their page on Elanic now sell beautifully textured handspun saree silk yarn, and it’s perfect for all kinds of knitting, crochet, decorative and jewellery projects. Here’s what it’s all about;
… Read FullThis yarn is also known as the Himalayan Sari Silk Yarn made from Sari Silk Fiber. During the making of Saris in India, a lot of small finer threads of various colours are left over
The saree is not just a symbol of Indian-ness, but of endless possibilities!
How versatile a drape it is, molding itself to every size that a woman can be… Adding curves and skimming lines everywhere it travels round the body, sensual and practical, stylish and comfortable all at the same time.
Millennials today grew up seeing our mothers carry them off with effortless grace, I think…… Read Full