Embroidered Sarees – A Majestic Drape That Combines Style and Ethnicity

Embroidered sarees are amongst the most popular types of  sarees worn by women in India and other South Asian countries. The stunning look and stately appeal of these sarees make them suitable for various occasions across all seasons.

The magic of embroidered sarees is such that it makes the wearers look elegant effortlessly and without the need for any additional embellishments. That is why these sarees form an integral part of the wardrobe of women seeking a perfect blend of tradition and style.

Given the exclusiveness of these sarees, it is not surprising that they were once created only for women belonging to royal families and rich households. However, today, these magnificent sarees are well within the reach of women belonging to all social classes, which has helped to further enhance their popularity. 

What Is Saree Embroidery?

As the name suggests, saree embroidery is the art of weaving patterns and designs onto the fabric of the saree using needles and threads. This process of decorating the fabric requires extreme skill and craftsmanship along with extensive experience. It is a labor extensive task and requires the craftsmen to use their creativity and imagination to create unique patterns that help enhance the appeal of the fabric.

The use of embroidery can transform a simple and plain-looking saree into an exclusive attire that enhances the elegance of the women wearing them. Many times, artisans also use embroidery to showcase the culture and heritage of their region in the form of exclusive designs and patterns created using colorful threads.

Types of Embroidered Sarees

Embroidered sarees have been donned by women since ancient times and are broadly classified into two main types. These include hand-embroidered sarees and machine-embroidered ones. Hand embroidery was the traditional and only method of creating these beautiful sarees until just a few decades ago. The evolution in textile technology and the invention of embroidery machines resulted in the creation of machine-embroidered sarees. 

The best-embroidered sarees feature elaborate patterns that are hand embroidered into the fabric with great precision. Such sarees often come with a hefty price tag and their creation may take anywhere between a few weeks to a couple of months. However,  to be created. The exact time depends on the intricacy and detailing of patterns, the terms of stitch, colors, and design, and the expertise of the artisans.

The use of machines for creating embroidered sarees has become quite common over the past several years. While this has helped to bring down the manufacturing time and cost of the sarees, these sarees lack the exclusiveness and finesse of hand-embroidered drapes. Hence it is not surprising that the embroidered sarees offered by top designers are made using the traditional craft of hand embroidery rather than relying on machine embroidery.

How Long Does It Take To Embroider A Saree?

The time taken for creating an embroidered saree varies according to the method used. Using machines for embroidering a saree ensures that the task is completed anywhere between a few hours to a couple of days. However, the time taken to hand-embroider a saree is much longer and depends on the extent of the design on the fabric. Creating a fully embroidered saree with an intricate design can take anywhere between 2 and 6 months. Similarly, sarees with less intricate designs spread sporadically across the length of the fabric may be created in 1-3 months.

The specific style of embroidery used also plays an important role in deciding the time taken for embroidering the saree. Sarees featuring the famous Kashmiri Aaari or Tilla style embroidery can take anywhere between 3 months to a year to complete. Similarly, sarees with renowned Lucknowi chikankari embroidery and designer embroidered sarees also take a long time to make. However, sarees featuring metallic-thread embroidery famous in the western parts of India take relatively lesser time to be embroidered.

Key Features of Embroidery Sarees:

The unique beauty and timeless appeal of embroidered sarees make them stand apart from other types of sarees. Given below are some key features of these awe-inspiring sarees that add to their elegance and style.

● Embroidered sarees are well known for their ornate appeal which gives them a rich look and feel and enhances the overall appearance of the wearers

● Most hand-embroidered sarees are way more expensive than the sarees featuring machine designs mainly due to the skill and labor involved in creating the former type of sarees.

● In most cases, artisans use a stencil for transferring a selected design onto the fabric of the saree before they fill the design with great precision using needles and threads of different colors.

● The threads used for creating the embroidery patterns are mostly drawn from silk fabric, although the use of cotton threads, and metallic threads, which prominently include gold and silver is also quite common.

● Many times the embroidered patterns are further decorated with the help of beads, sequins, semi-precious stones, and even mirror work to enhance the overall look and appeal of the saree.

● Embroidered sarees are crafted from a wide variety of fabrics including, cotton, georgette, silk, chiffon, crepe, and even net, which makes them suitable for occasions like weddings, parties, and festivals.

Tips For The Perfect Embroidered Sarees Online

Embroidered sarees, like most other types of sarees, are readily available online. Following the tips given below can help women choose the perfect embroidered sarees online to match their needs and taste.

•  Women should pay attention to the base fabric of the saree on which the embroidery has been done. This is essential to ensure that they choose a saree that matches their fabric preference and hence can wear comfortably.

•  It is important to consider the extent of embroidery on the saree to make the right choice. Women may choose between heavily embroidered sarees, ones with embroidered borders, or those featuring infrequent patterns.

•  Finally, women should consider their skin tone and body type to get the perfect saree that enhances their beauty. They may seek the help of a professional in deciding the right fabric and color of the saree to get that gorgeous look.

Final Thoughts

The unmatched elegance of embroidered sarees is the reason that makes them so popular even today.