Delicately and artistically done embroidery on various kinds of textile fabrics, mostly cotton and chiffon/georgette nowadays, but also on muslin, silk, organza, net, and so on is called Chikankari. It is a highly elaborated work done by hand using simple tools and a variety of techniques to embellish the beautiful design on plain cloths.

The Essentials – Raw Material

• Types of fabrics like cotton (voile, cambric, malmal, rubiya, PC, etc), silk, chiffon, crepe, georgette, silk, organza, pure chiffon, maslin, viscose, etc are used to do the embroidery work.
• Cotton thread is traditionally used to create the design patterns over the cloth.
• Golden zari, silver zari, resham, etc are the types of threads also used to do the Chikankari embroidery.
• Indigo color used in block printing process, also done by hand.
• River water used to wash the clothes to clear the printing marks.
• Starch is used to obtain the stiffness for the washed clothes, also adding better finish to it.

The process of Chikankari mainly includes designing, engraving, block-printing, embroidery, and finally washing. We gladly say that being manufacturers we go through each of these step before we come up with the final output. So, do check out our Product Collection before you proceed.

Artists’ Friends – Tools

• Sui-needle is the important tool which plays a major role in Chikankari work.
• A circular shaped frame is used to hold the cloth as it obtains tautness. These frames are made with cloth as well as wood as per the need. Usually made of plastic these days.
• Wooden blocks are used to print the design on plain cloth.
• A rectangular wooden table used as support during printing process.
• Containers are used while washing the cloth after completion of stitching work.
• Scissors and cutter for, last but not the least, extra thread cutting for final finishing of the item.

Tools play an essential part in Lucknow Chikankari. With the work is completely done by hand, these tools assist the artists here in creating these wonderful pieces of their masterpiece.

In recent times Lucknow Chikankari has adapted to different looks through additional embellishments like Mukaish, Kamdani, Badla, Sequins, Aari-Zari, Gotapatti and use of beads and mirror work. All of them add to the glory of the Chikanari making it look rich and majestic. These various tools and techniques make every item we produce uniquely beautiful and stand out in the fashion market.