Embroidery Techniques- Useful to know

Pakistani/Indian outfits are traditionally known for the intricate embroidery used on them, this gives the outfit the rich and extravagant look. Ever wondered what different techniques of embroidery/kaam is used and the hard work that goes in to the making?

Below we will briefly discuss some of the techniques that are involved to create the traditional style embroidery:

Zari/Zardozi Work

These are fairly generic terms referring to gold thread embroidery. There is an endless variety of specific technical terms referring to various different styles of zari and zardozi work ie. dabka, aari, nakshi

Dabka Work

Dabka refers to embroidery done with tightly coiled golden wire...it's very commonly used in Pakistani clothes.

Kundan Work

Kundan is the use of "gems" (usually plastic or glass) in the embroidery, if you use glass, it becomes "cut glass" work, if you use swarovski crystal, it becomes "swarovski" work.

An example of Kundan work with diamantés

This is an example of Dabka and Kundan work used together

Aari Work

Aari work is a kind of flat chain stitch that's done with a special hooked needle (a lot of traditional Kashmiri embroidery is aari work), it can be done in metallic or coloured thread.

Nakshi Work

Nakshi work is done with a special kind of very shiny thread.

Overall traditional Pakistani/Indian outfits are made with a combination of many techniques to make us look and feel special for our big day or special occasion.

Best Wishes,

Elegant Outfits

Elegant Outfits

Assalamu alaykum,

So, it only makes sense to maybe doing to the 'ribbon cutting' post being about us. What are we all about and what do we hope to be able provide?

We are a 'bespoke design label', being able to essentially design and produce anything that YOU want. We hope to be able to help in the situations where 

*You know what you want but cant find it any where,

* You have fallen in love with a dress, but your size is not available,

* You love a particular dress design, but it has  low neck or is sleeveless, 

* You have seen someone wearing something and wish you could have something like that,

* You have seen a beautiful dress in some designer boutique, but it isn't really in your budget, 

* You like a dress, but the colour combination is not right or you would like to change something about,

* OR finally you have your own ideas and want something in particular made for you to make it special.

Yes I have personally experienced these problems, if I really fell in love with the outfit the chances would be it would not be in my budget and then anything in my budget didn't quite excite so much. So I would find myself wearing something because it fit in my affordability or just because that was what was readily available.

 I mean who has the time these days to drive up and down the country searching for that perfect outfit or dragging oneself in and out of asian clothing stores on Ladypool Road! (Yes I am from Birmingham), These retailers aren't always the most friendliest I might add, why do most south asian retailers have such bad customer service? ( I am digressing, this may be a topic for another blog post)

If you have seen an embroidery design you like, but did not like the colour scheme, we can also help. Here is an example of where we have recreated the embroidery design, but used a colour palette our customer requested:

Then we can prepare outfits based on our customers very own colour and fabric choices. We also can give you many embroidery designs to choose from, so if there is an outfit you like, but the embroidery is not quite your style that can easily be changed to you suit your personal taste. 

We always keep you involved through the process, from when the fabric is dyed to when the embroidery design starts. You can have as much involvement throughout the process as you wish.

We inshallah hope to be useful to many of you and that you enjoy the process of working on your very own outfit with us, to make it all that more special!

Nadia