Terracotta botanicals run across lime green, close-set and hand-stamped.

Why this piece

• An unusual pairing - earthy terracotta against a sharp, fresh lime rather than the usual tonal green.


• Colour-fast: the terracotta does not run into the lime on the first wash.


• A full three-piece set at 2.5 metres per piece, tailorable up to 4XL.

The colour

Lime green is a difficult shade to print on, because most contrast colours turn it acidic. Terracotta does the opposite - it warms the green down and gives the set a hand-dyed, earthy feel that photographs far better than it sounds.

The dupatta

The dupatta carries the botanical repeat at a slightly more open spacing, closed by a rectangular border motif and a short fringed edge. Leave it plain over a solid lime kurta for office, or stitch the bottom in the terracotta tone for a sharper festive look. Genuine hand block work on katan silk sits in a gap the market largely leaves empty, since this craft is usually reserved for cotton. Block printed by hand, and still dispatched the next working day.

The details

• 
  Top: 2.5 m, 44-45 inches wide


• 
  Bottom: 2.5 m, 44-45 inches wide


• 
  Dupatta: 2.5 m, 35-36 inches wide


• 
  Fabric: Katan silk, opaque, no lining needed


• 
  Craft: hand block print, Bhagalpur


• 
  Weight: 600-650 g for all three pieces together


• 
  Stitching: up to 4XL, length customisable


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


• 
  Collection: Phuhaar
  

Where two blocks meet, the terracotta sometimes overlaps by a whisker. That small join is the artisan hand at work, not a flaw in the fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this genuinely hand block printed or machine printed?

It is genuinely hand block printed. Artisans in Bhagalpur press hand-carved wooden blocks onto the silk one impression at a time, which is why the terracotta motifs vary very slightly in spacing and depth across the length. Machine and screen prints repeat with no variation at all.

Will the terracotta run into the lime green when washed?

No. The fabric is colour-fast and does not bleed on the first wash. Give it a dry clean the first time, then wash gently in cold water.

How much fabric is included?

2.5 metres each of top, bottom and dupatta. The top and bottom are 44-45 inches wide and the dupatta 35-36 inches, which is enough to stitch up to 4XL with a customised length.

How heavy is the set to wear?

All three pieces together weigh about 600-650 g, so a finished suit sits light on the shoulders and drapes rather than holds its shape stiffly.

What if the shade is not what I expected?

Screens vary, so a shade can look a little different in person. If the colour or the quality is not what you hoped for, you can exchange it.