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How to Differentiate Handcrafted Chikankari from Machine Work

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You all love buying Chikankari Anarkali Kurtis wholesale online. But how sure are you whether what you order online is original Chikankari and not an impersonation? Chikankari work is Lucknow’s most prized handcrafted embroidery. So, if you wish to buy one, we suggest getting it from well-known designer cotton Kurtis suppliers so that you aren’t cheated. Also, it is essential to know the difference between handcrafted Chikankari and machine-made embroidery. 


Chikankari Royalty in India

Chikankari is a famous Lucknowi handicraft known for its delicate floral patterns, traditionally created on mulmul (muslin) cloth. It is also known as shadow work, as the embroidery is done on the wrong side of the fabric, making its shadow appear on the right side. While Chikankari’s roots exist in Persia, the handicraft was popularized in India by the wife of the Mughal Emperor, Jahangir. 

Nowadays, Chikankari work is embroidered on various fabrics, including georgette, cotton, modal, rayon, viscose, and silk. 

While the fabric was initially embroidered using white threads, fashion evolved in the 20th century to accommodate the colorful modern taste. 

The complex art must be learned for over 10 before mastering the handicraft. To work on a single set it takes about 15 days to finish. The fabrics are first styled, then block printed and embroidered, and washed several times before being sold.


Difference Between Handcrafted Chikankari and Machine Embroidery 

The main difference between both is the stitching technique and process. Handcrafted Chikankari includes multiple stitches, fabrics, time, and different threads. Machine embroidery is computerized, where the patterns and designs are created digitally and attributed to the fabric using machines.

There are only two basic ways to judge the authenticity of the Chikankari Kurti you ordered online.

Design and Embroidery Symmetry  

- Since authentic Chikankari is handmade, you will find slight unevenness and asymmetry in the embroidery. The imperfection essentially contributes to its authenticity. No two dresses will be identical.  

- On the other hand, machine embroidery generates perfectly symmetrical designs and patterns. 


Knot or the Thread Endings in the Back of the Fabric

- In handmade Lucknowi Chikankari, the thread ends will have uneven and exposed knots as a result of the human-knotting technique. Also, there will be raw threads moving from one motif to another. 

- In machine-made embroidery, there won’t be any knots or loose ends at the backside.


Final words: If it is not handmade, it is not original Lucknowi Chikankari. So choose right. 

Also, while you are shopping for Chikankari, do check high-quality wholesale designer cotton Kurtis in India at AKS-Clothing.

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