Embroidered Sarees

Emotional sentiments can be portrayed via embroidery on famous Indian sari fabrics, besides beautifully exhibiting the culture and customs of a particular region. The trendiest saree embroidery designs can elevate even flavorless garments to the stature of a nobleman. This extraordinary form of art necessitates a significant amount of knowledge and skill to transform a vision into reality. Artisans may require more than a month to complete their exquisite and extremely precise handmade saree artwork. 

The art of embroidery pervades every part of the country, from Gujarat's Aari in the west to Kashmir's Kashida in the north, Karnataka's Kasuti in the south, and Bengal's Kantha in the east. The Kantha or Nakshi Kantha embroidery, which was originally used as a quilting technique, is characterized by designs made with tiny, flowing stitches. A particular needle with the appearance of a hook is used to create the Kashmiri and Gujarati aari style on fabric stretched across a frame. The well-known gota embroidery style, which has its roots in Rajasthan, uses zari and sequin work. This pattern is blended with the well-established zardosi style, which the Mughals imported to India and made prominent by the aristocracy, in North Indian bridal dresses. Kathiawari and mirror craft are both well-known in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Because of its versatility, the Lucknowian embroidery method known as chikankari has become increasingly well-known throughout the world.

Types of Exquisite Indian Embroidery on Sarees

1. Kashida Embroidery: Kashida embroidery, one of the oldest and most traditional forms of fundamental artistry, portrays its ethnic spirit through beads and needlework. It is especially well-known, acclaimed, and cherished in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. With variegated threads and beads interwoven into garments like shawls and saris, this embroidery embodies the essence and aspects of creation in its simplest sense, incorporating birds, leaves, trees, and a plethora of natural patterns.

2. Lacework:  Any saree's border is an essential component. Sarees featuring lace borders delightfully exhibit the grandeur of sarees.

3. Thread-Zari work: Traditional Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani apparel frequently use zari, an even thread traditionally composed of pure gold or silver, notably as brocade in saris as well as other garments. Zardozi embroidery, which comprises elaborate designs and extravagant designs, is achieved by interweaving this thread into cloths, typically silk. The Mughal era has seen the revival of zari, and the seaport of Surat's linkage to the Meccan pilgrimage route was an important factor in the resuscitation of this historic craft in India. Gold needlework was once linked to the magnificence and regal attire of deities, emperors, and intellectual giants during the Vedic periods.

4. Phulkari Embroidery: The Punjabi term Phulkari, meaning "floral work," is a combination of two words: "Phul" and "Kari," which respectively mean "flower" and "work." The Punjabi women established the Phulkari embroidery in the fifteenth century. It is often recognized as Punjabi folk embroidery and is a countryside artisanal technique. Although the word "phulkari" refers to floral work, the embroidery's motifs do include a broad range of subjects as well as decorative motifs and patterns in addition to flowers. Overall, Phulkari embroidery is incredibly vibrant and flamboyant, adding a colorful touch to people's lives. The Phulkari embroidery is well recognized all over the world.

FAQS

Q1. Which saree materials are best for embroidery?

For saree embroidery motifs, any fabric that is sturdy enough to support the embroidery design and permits the thread to pass through it is suitable; like chiffon, georgette, satin, crepe, silk, cotton, and net.

Q2. What are the embellishments used in embroidery on sarees?

Pearls, sequins, gold threads, crystals, and other trimmings are also used to accentuate saree embroidery motifs.

HOW TO DRAPE A SAREE

STEP 1

Two essential pieces of garments, that go alongwith the Sari, need to be chosen carefully to compliment the Sari. These are:

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• A petticoat - which is a waist-to-floor garment, tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring. The petticoat color should match the base sari color as closely as possible. No part of the petticoat, of course, is visible outside the Sari, after having worn it.
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• A blouse - which needs to be tight-fitting and whose color needs to be chosen keeping the look of the sari in mind, can be short sleeved or sleeveless, with a variety of necklines. The blouse ends just below the bust.

STEP 2

Start wearing the sari by tucking its plain/upper end into the petticoat, at a position which is a little bit to the right of the navel. Make sure that the lower end of the sari should be touching the floor, and that the whole length of the sari comes on the left-hand side. Now wrap the sari around yourself once, with the sari now coming back in the front, on your right side.

STEP 3

Make about 5 to 7 pleats of equal width of 5 inches, starting at the tucked-in end. Gather the pleats together, neatly, ensuring that the lower edge of the pleats are even and just off the ground and that the pleats fall straight and evenly. A safety pin may be used to stop the pleats from scattering.

STEP 4

Neatly tuck the pleats into the petticoat, at the waist, slightly to the left of the navel, in such a manner that they open to your left.

STEP 5

Drape the remaining fabric around yourself once more left to right, and bring it round your hips to the front, holding the top edge of the sari.

STEP 6

Slightly raise the remaining portion of the Sari on your back, bringing it up under the right arm and over the left shoulder so that the end of the Sari falls to about the level of your knees.

The end portion thus draped, from the left shoulder onwards, is called the Pallav or the Pallu, and can be prevented from slipping off teh shoulder, by fastening it at the shoulder to the blouse with a small safety pin.