Blue - Velvet Natural Dyed Ajrakh Print Blouse 13

Ajrakh is a resist-printing craft from Kutch, Gujarat. It uses indigo and madder root dyes in a 16-step process. The Khatri community has practiced it for over 400 years. It holds a GI tag.

The fabric goes through repeated rounds of resist application, dyeing, washing, and sun-drying. Artisans use carved teak blocks and a mud-lime resist paste. A single piece takes up to two weeks to complete.

Look for slight irregularities in the pattern. block prints are never perfectly symmetrical. The reverse side shows faint ink marks. These small imperfections confirm it's hand-stamped, not machine-made.

Each impression is placed by hand. Block pressure, ink amount, and fabric texture create natural variations. Two pieces from the same batch will look similar but never identical.

First wash in cold water with a pinch of salt to set the dye. Always hand wash or gentle machine cycle. Dry in shade. direct sun can shift natural dye colors over time.

Velvet has a dense, plush pile you can feel when you run your fingers across it. It is soft, warm, and rich to the touch. The surface catches light differently from each angle.

Hand wash in cold water with mild wool detergent. Do not twist or wring. Lay flat on a towel to dry. Dry cleaning is recommended for heavily embroidered velvet pieces.

Primarily, yes. Velvet works best in cool and cold weather. Lighter velvet pieces can work in air-conditioned indoor settings. It's not suitable for peak summer use.

Clean before storing. Fold and place in a breathable cotton bag. Add neem leaves or naphthalene to prevent moths. Store in a dry, dark cupboard. Check every few months.

Some pilling is normal with wool and wool-blend fabrics in early use. Gently remove pills with a fabric shaver. After the initial period, the surface stabilizes and pilling reduces.