FABRIC FACTS

Chikankari Fabric varieties and description

Chikankari is an indigenous art of Lucknow, a gift of creating miraculous pieces of art by the natives of Lucknow.

They are so blessed with skills and expertise of curating and handcrafting garments that the world admires their unmatched creativity and excellence.

Infact the word “Chikankari “in the literal sense means embroidery. It is an ancient fabric embellishment which is famous around the globe. Every person adorning this art is a testimony to showcasing gorgeous and vibrant artwork, and supports craftmanship of the artisans.

Chikankari fabrics used in modern day.Some of these fabrics are used from centuries and some are from the modern day.

• Cotton: Soft and comfortable fabric that is organically grown in India. It is processed into natural hollow fibre. They are breathable, absorbent and suitable for all skin types.
•  Voil Cotton: Voile is a lightweight fabric with a slightly textured surface. It is 100 % cotton and has a slightly crisp feel. Voile is popular for chikankari because it holds the stitches well and has a nice drape.
• Dobby cotton: Dobby, or dobbie, is a woven fabric produced on the dobby loom, characterised by small geometric patterns and extra texture in the cloth.
•  Mulmul cotton: Mulmul cotton is 100% cotton which is soft, delicate, light weight and fine weave of cotton. It has a beautiful texture and fabric is very comfortable on the skin.
•  Modal cotton fabric: is a bio-based fabric that is made from spinning beech tree Modal is generally considered a more eco-friendly alternative to cotton because beech trees don't require much water to grow and therefore the production process uses about 10-20 times less water.It is very soft and silky fabric and also has a natural shine to it.
• Rayon : is a semi-synthetic fibre-based material that is made from the cellulose obtained from wood pulp or cotton. It is very absorbent and comfortable can be worn in humid weather. It is comfortable and economical and very resistant to wrinkles.
•  Kota Doria Fabric: Kota Doria is a handloom cotton fabric known for its unique weaving style, which results in a translucent and light fabric. Light, airy, and comfortable, Kota makes for the ideal summer choice.
•  Georgette Fabric: Chikankari georgette fabric is a polyester based fabric with chikankari embroidery on the fabric. Georgette is known for its lightweight, sheer and wrinkle free quality. Georgette cloth is woven in highly twisted yarns, which makes it slightly rough to the touch. Suitable for making dresses.
• Chiffon fabric: Chiffon is a material that is see-through, and its slippery quality makes it an excellent choice for any style that emphasizes airiness. Polyester is commonly used to make chiffon, and some manufacturers may still use nylon to make this type of fabric.Silk chiffon fabric was traditionally woven from silk threads, but nowadays viscose and poly chiffon are more often used to satisfy consumer demand. Lightweight and flowy fabric, Chiffon is the most comfortable fabric that does not cling to your body and gives you a nice drape just like empire dresses. Chiffon fabric is a bit sheer so you might have to drape several layers of it. As Chiffon does not have any distinct sheen, it is best for muted pastel shades. Such property allows delicate colors to dye easily. Chiffon is best for daytime weddings or outdoor outfits as it will keep you cool. 
• Viscose fabric: Georgette can fall into two categories: pure and faux. Pure georgette is woven from silk yarns and faux georgette is woven from polyester and rayon. In modern times, georgette is largely made using synthetic filaments.100% silk georgette is more expensive than the mixed textile version, but you’re getting what you pay for.
• Chanderi fabric: Known for its glossy transparency and sheer texture, Chanderi is a century-old weaving technique that produces three kinds of fabric – Chanderi silk cotton, pure silk, and Chanderi Cotton. The uniqueness of Chanderi fabric lies in its beautiful motifs embellished on the fabric. Chanderi fabric is one of the most preferred fabrics that is suitable for summers as well as winters.
•  Muslin Fabric: Muslin is very popular for chikankari because it has a delicate appearance and the embroidery can be easily seen on the fabric. Muslin is a sheer fabric with a smooth surface. It is made from cotton or linen and is very soft to the touch. For centuries, muslin weavers in India and Bangladesh were obliged to weave various textiles while muslin was brought in from Europe as a luxury item. he fabric can be bleached or piece-dyed and can also be patterned with hand-block, screen-print, or digital printdepending on the design.
• Organza: Organza is a lightweight, sheer, plain-woven fabric traditionally made with pure silk yarn to give it a rich texture and look. The material can also be made from synthetic fibers, primarily polyester and nylon. Synthetic fabrics are slightly more durable, but the fabric is very delicate. Organza is extremely popular for wedding gowns and evening wear, as it has a shimmery and translucent quality which creates decadent silhouettes. Chikankari fabricare crafted with the brilliance of fine hand-embroidered Organza Silk to give it a rich texture and look.