Who has not been mesmerized by the beauty of an Indian saree? Saree is the cultural symbol of India worldwide. This popularity has led to the rise of different types of sarees being produced in different parts of the country. For instance, we have the Kanchipuram silk sarees from the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu, the Banarasi sarees from the gorgeous state of Uttar Pradesh and the traditional Kerala sarees known for their simple charm from the lovely state of Kerala. Apart from these two, there are so many pretty sarees you can choose from. The choices are wide open in terms of fabrics, designs, and patterns. So, what could make it better? Embroidery of course!
India has been very creative in terms of embroidery. Just like different types of sarees have popped up from different states of the country, different styles of embroideries have popped up from different states of India. All these styles of embroidery add to the beauty of the fabric and help to make the wearer look more majestic than ever.
Beauty of Embroidery Sarees
You already know that sarees are one of the most beautiful dresses that any woman can wear. And embroidery only helps to elevate the grandeur of the saree. Embroidery in India has come a long way, with the styles and techniques changing and adapting with time and fashion trends. Embroidery makes the saree look more elegant and regal. Something as simple as thread work can make a plain fabric look so much more luxurious and royal.
Embroidery takes a lot of time and effort. And you can see that effort reflected in the beauty of the saree. Embroidery can either be done by hand or by machinery. Either way, embroidery can help to make any saree so much more luxurious and beautiful. You just need to choose the right style for the right fabric.
How Embroidery Varies in Different Fabrics
There are many different types of embroidery you can choose from when wanting to style your saree fabric. So, let’s get into some of the most popular types of embroidery in India:
1. Chikankari Embroidery
Chikankari, originating from the Nawabi city of Lucknow, is one of the most popular techniques of embroidery in India. It mostly consists of white thread work on different colored fabrics. The fabrics can include cotton, silk, chiffon, net, muslin, etc. Although, cotton is the most popular fabric for Chikan work.
2. Zari (Or Zardosi)
If you want any fabric to instantly become royal-looking and luxurious, then zari is the style of embroidery you are looking for. Gold and silver threads are used, along with stones, to create exquisite patterns on different kinds of fabrics. Any saree will begin to look extremely royal after a dose of zari embroidery. This embroidery technique is usually chosen by brides for their weddings and other ceremonies.2
3. Gota
Gota embroidery is another beautiful style of embroidery stemming from the state of Rajasthan. In this technique, gold and silver thread are used to create different kinds of patterns. Most of the motifs involved in this type of embroidery are inspired from nature. Most common fabrics chosen for this type of embroidery are bandhani and georgette. This style of embroidery is mostly chosen by brides for important occasions.
4. Aari
Aari is also a style of embroidery that originates from the Indian state of Rajasthan. In this technique, a hooked needle is used to chain stitch loops. Different types of embellishments are also used. Aari helps to add the look of richness and royalty to a saree. Often the wearer will only allow Aari embroidery on the saree and keep the blouse simple. This helps to give a coherent and regal look.
5. Kantha
Moving to the eastern states, Kantha is a style of embroidery that has evolved from the Indian states of Odisha, West Bengal, and Tripura. Since Kantha embroidery is directly done on the cloth, it gives the cloth a wavy and wrinkly effect. The most common motifs in this style of embroidery include animals, nature, flowers, geometric designs, and celestial objects.
Hand Embroidery Vs. Machine Embroidery
As with every other time-consuming process in the world, machine embroidery is becoming more and more popular these days. Machines are cheaper and more efficient than hand embroiderers. They can produce a lot of embroidered fabric in a short period of time and do so while saving time and money. This is why most fabric-makers are choosing machine embroidery over hand embroidery. Customers tend to go for machine embroidery as well because the products are cheaper than hand embroidery. However, machine embroidery produces mass-produced identical sarees. With hand embroidery, each piece is unique. It also allows for more different types of stitches and styles. So, both have their own pros and cons.
Buying Embroidered Sarees Online
Obviously, you can’t go running off to a different state each time you want some different type of embroidery. So, buying embroidered sarees online is the best way to get the best sarees and the best deals.
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