Off-white sprigs sit scattered across a strong magenta ground.

Why this piece

• The bottom is left plain magenta, so the set is already balanced before it reaches a tailor.


• Colour-fast, so a shade this strong does not bleed onto the off-white sprigs.


• Floral garland borders on the dupatta, finished with tassels.

The print

The sprig is small and open, spaced widely enough that the magenta stays the dominant colour rather than the print. The dupatta is bordered with linear floral garlands and finished with tassels, and the bottom is deliberately left unprinted.

Wearing it

A plain bottom takes the guesswork out of this one - stitch a straight kurta from the printed top, keep the bottom simple, and let the garland dupatta be the only detail. It suits a festive lunch or a bright office day equally. Genuine hand block printing on katan silk from Bhagalpur is close to unavailable elsewhere; the craft is nearly always sold on 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
  

Because the sprigs are widely spaced, the small differences between impressions are easy to see. That is the block, and it is what a machine cannot copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this be stitched for a larger size?

Yes. Each of the three pieces is 2.5 metres long, with the top and bottom 44-45 inches wide, which is enough for a straight kurta set up to 4XL. The length can be customised too.

Is the bottom printed as well?

No, the bottom is plain magenta. Only the top carries the all-over sprig print and the dupatta carries the garland borders, which keeps the finished set balanced.

Will a magenta this strong bleed?

No. The fabric is colour-fast and does not bleed on the first wash. Dry clean it the first time, then a gentle cold hand wash is enough.

Does it need a lining?

No. The silk is opaque and can be stitched without a lining or aster, though one can be added if you want extra body.

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.