• What are Vintage Beaded/Zardozi Patchwork Wall Hangings?

These are handmade fabric wall hangings which are truly one of a kind. Each piece is individually composed from carefully selected fabric recycled from antique and vintage wedding dresses and saris, covered with Zardozi embroidery, sequins, mirrors and beads! Made from 100% cotton, these beaded patchwork wall hangings are the perfect addition to any room. These indian tapestries are fully handmade and can be used for decorating your living room or any other part of your home.

 

• About Pashmina

Pashmina refers to a fine variant of spun cashmere The word pashm means "wool" in Persian, but in Kashmir, pashm referred to the raw unspun wool of domesticated Changthagi goats. Both generic cashmere and pashmina come from the same goat, but generic cashmere ranges from 12 to 21 microns in diameter, whereas pashmina refers only to those fibres that range from 12 to 16 microns.Pashmina accessories are known for their softness and warmth.Pashmina shawls are a symbol of lavishness and luxury and also the embodiment of the ethereal beauty of Kashmir that is reflected in their texture. Believed to have originated in Nepal, Pashmina or cashmere wool is considered as the softest in the world and keeps one very warm. The wool that is used to make the exquisite Pashmina shawls is obtained from a kind of goat called Capra Hircus (Chyangra) that is generally found at an altitude of 12,000 ft where temperatures dip as low as minus 40-degree Centigrade. Pashmina has also been mentioned in the epic Mahabharata where it was a favourite of the emperors and nobles. The art of making clothes from Pashmina is believed to be as old as 3000 BC.

 

• What is block printing?

Block printing refers to the printing technique of pressing and stamping fabric with carved wooden blocks filled with color. “Hand blocked”  or “hand block printing” are other terms that refer to block printing.

We celebrate the art of block printing on fabric. Our artisans take our original block print designs and print them onto cotton. However, the block printing process goes beyond pressing blocks onto fabric. There are so many steps involved, from carving each wooden block to preparing fabric, mixing dyes, and applying final touches. Each block printing technique requires artistry, skill and patience.  It is the sum of these tasks that produces our gorgeous block printed fabrics. 

 

• What is the process of making wooden blocks?

A print starts with the design, drawn on paper and carved by hand onto the wooden blocks which are approximately 18-24cm. The physical block is the design for a single repeat, which is then stamped in rows across the fabric. Each element of the design is carved into a separate block. Block carving in itself is a precise art requiring years of apprenticeship and done entirely by hand.

Each colour pattern is stamped individually onto the fabric; the process takes time and skill, as the pattern must be stamped repeatedly across the fabric, colour by colour. The subtle gaps and overlaps are a beautiful reminder of the handwork and give block printing its iconic look. Block printing villages are known for their rhythmic ‘knocking’ sound of the block printer hitting the wood block to secure the pattern. The sound echoes through the village and reminds us of the artisans at work.

• What is Bagru style handblock?

The original Bagru style of printing traditionally uses floral, leaf and geometric motifs on cottons and silks. However in recent decades, designers from the west have worked closely with these local artisans to create Indo-western patterns which are inspired by art and nature

 

• What is the "Process of block printing"?

• Selection of fabric: For hand block printing, the artisans generally use the plant-based or vegetable dye. This type of color works best on cotton, linen, polyester, bamboo, and hemp. On the other hand, animal-based fabrics like silk or wool are not a great option for it as the ink won’t bind well. Moreover, as the ink is quite translucent, light color fabrics will be a better option for it.
• Making of a wooden block: The wooden blocks used for this printing are manually carved by the master block carver with a chisel and wooden hammer. The blocks that are called bunta have wooden handles. Before using a new block, they soak it into oil for at least 10 days.
• Natural colors for dye: Hand block printing is known for its use in natural colors. Vegetable dye is the most popular one for block printing. For Dabu printing, the artisans use a mix of fuller’s earth, gum along with some natural ingredients. All of the dying ingredients like petals of flowers, spices, and leaves are available in nature only.
• Block printing on fabric: After the preparation of the color, the artisans soak the bunta into the color and start printing from left to right with the utmost care, patience, and craftsmanship. The block has to slam hard on the fabric to get a good impression.
• Drying: After printing, it is mandatory to dry all the paints.

 

• DELIVERY

A) How does the delivery process work?

• Once you have placed an order on our website, our system starts processing your order almost immediately.
• Next, your item is passed through a quality check before handing over to the courier partner.
• Your item is packed securely and handed over to our trusted delivery partners.
• Then, your item is shipped to your location.
• In case your address falls a location that is not served by our delivery partners, our team will contact you and find an alternative solution to make your order reach you.

 

B) What is the estimated delivery time?

We religiously aim to ship the products within 10 working days, however with the current COVID situation few order shipments might take longer than usual. In few cases there might be some delays due to dependencies at various levels like customized products. Furthermore, we diligently ship orders throughout the week including weekends and public holidays.

Please note- During festivals, adverse weather conditions or political crisis, your shipment may get further delayed due to dependency on courier companies. We ensure you that we will try our best to have product delivered to you in the best time and we truly appreciate your patience.