Deep blue paisley, edged with a wide band of contrasting teal.

Why this piece

• Genuinely hand block printed - carved wooden blocks, not a screen or machine


• The teal border is wide enough to read as a design line on a straight kurta


• Opaque silk needing no lining, and a complete set stitchable up to 4XL

Blue on teal

A deep blue ground carries a small paisley printed close and even across all three pieces. At the hem, a wide decorative band in teal cuts against it, with fine white detail keeping the two blues apart.

Two shades of the same family with a hard edge between them is a more considered look than a straight contrast, and it means the set stays formal even at its most decorative.

Wearing it

Deep blue is the most forgiving colour in an Indian wardrobe - it works in an office, at an evening dinner and at a day function without changing anything but the jewellery. Silver and pearl suit it; so does a plain white inner. Have the teal band placed at the hem rather than cut through it.

A printed contrast border on silk usually means a woven set at a much higher price. Blocks and a steady hand get you there for less.

The set

• 
  Top: 2.5 m, 44 to 45 inches wide


• 
  Bottom: 2.5 m, 44 to 45 inches wide


• 
  Dupatta: 2.5 m, 35 to 36 inches wide


• 
  Fabric: Katan silk, hand block printed with hand-carved wooden blocks


• 
  Lining: not required, the fabric is opaque; add one only to elevate the look


• 
  Stitching: up to 4XL for straight kurta sets, with length customised for larger sizes


• 
  Weight: 600 to 650 g for top, bottom and dupatta together


• 
  Care: dry clean the first time, then a gentle cold hand wash


• 
  Dispatch: dispatched the next working day, even though every metre is printed by hand


• 
  Collection: Kairi
  

The paisleys crowd slightly where one block meets the next. It is not a flaw - it is the record of the print being placed rather than rolled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the teal border bleed into the deep blue when I wash it?

The fabric is colour-fast and does not bleed on the first wash, so the two blues stay separate. Dry clean it once, then wash gently in cold water.

Where does the teal border sit on the fabric?

It runs as a wide decorative band along the hem edge, with fine white detail separating it from the blue ground. Ask your tailor to place it at the kurta hem rather than cutting through it.

Is this really hand block printed?

Yes - every metre is stamped with hand-carved wooden blocks. Where one block meets the next, the paisleys crowd very slightly, which is something a machine print never does.

What is in the set and how large can it be stitched?

Top 2.5 m, bottom 2.5 m and dupatta 2.5 m, unstitched. It stitches up to 4XL for straight kurta sets, with the length customised for larger sizes.

Can I exchange it if the blue is not the shade I hoped for?

If the shade or the quality is not what you hoped for, an exchange is available - write to us and we will sort it out.