Chikankari sarees are made using a traditional hand-embroidery technique, which is native to Lucknow, India. The process of making a chikankari saree involves several steps:
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Fabric Selection: The first step is to select the fabric for the saree. Chikankari sarees are typically made from lightweight fabrics such as muslin or cotton, as these fabrics are easy to work with and drape well.
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Printing: The fabric is then printed with the design that will be embroidered. This is done using a wooden block-printing technique, where the design is first carved into a wooden block and then pressed onto the fabric using dye.
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Embroidery: After the fabric is printed, the embroidery process begins. Chikankari embroidery is done using a thin, white cotton thread. The embroiderer uses a needle to create small, delicate stitches that create the designs and patterns on the fabric.
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Finishing: Once the embroidery is complete, the saree is washed and pressed to remove any traces of the printing dye and to soften the fabric. The saree is then ready for dyeing, if required, and for the final finishing to be done.
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Dyeing: If required, the saree is dyed using natural dyes to give it different colors.
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Final Finishing: The saree is then ironed and packed for sale.
Chikankari embroidery is a very delicate and time-consuming process, and it can take weeks or even months to complete a single saree. Due to the intricate and delicate nature of the embroidery, chikankari sarees are considered to be high-quality and luxurious, and are often worn on special occasions such as weddings and traditional ceremonies.