Chikankari Embroidery of Lucknow II
Highly elaborated work is done using simple tools to embellish beautiful motifs/ designs on plain cloth. Traditionally, the Chikan work has been done only on white cotton cloth. Later, it has been done using various types of clothes to meet the market trend.
Raw Materials:
• Types of fabrics like cotton, silk, chiffon, crepe, georgette, wool, orange chiffon are used to do the embroidery work.
• Cotton thread is traditionally used to create the design patterns over the cloth.
• Golden zari, silver zari, wool are the types of threads also used to do the Chikankari embroidery.
• Indigo color used in printing process.
• River water used to wash the clothes to clear the printing marks.
• Starch is used to obtain the stiffness for cotton clothes.
List of Tools:
• Sui- needle is the important tool which plays a major role in Chikankari work.
• A circular shaped frame is used to hold the cloth as it obtains tautness. These frames are made with cloth as well as wood as per the need.
• Wooden blocks are used to print the design on plain cloth.
• A rectangular wooden table used as support during printing process.
• Containers are used while washing the cloth after completion of stitching work.
