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The textile artistry in this hand block-printed kaftan is mind-blowing. 


hand-block-printed kaftan

Have you ever wondered how your clothes are made?


On the surface the block-printed design on this kaftan looks deceptively simple. But a closer look reveals a sophisticated design. It was hand-printed with up-to 12 different hand-carved blocks. 


Using a combination of three types of blocks, a team of designers and printers create depth and sophistication by layering color over color of prints that took days and weeks to sample. 


Once the colors are chosen, the dyes are mixed, the blocks dipped in the dye and stamped on the cloth to create a print.


  1. A “gadh” or background block: This type of block has the design elements carved out of it, creating negative space (which is the design) and a background color

  2. A “rekh” or outline block. Rekh comes from the Hindi word for line, rekha. Prints using this block have less color, and more outlie or pattern detail. 

  3. A “datta” or filler block, with color to fill in the negative space created by the design


While the motifs are inspired by the ocean the technique itself is the age-old art of hand-block-printing.


The decision to combine the traditional hand-block-printing technique with ocean-inspired motifs is unique and innovative. Traditional prints have floral designs.


New blocks were hand-carved for this fabric. Blocks are carved by skilled wood carvers using small hammers & chisels, traditionally on teak wood, which is native to India. After carving, blocks are soaked in mustard oil for several days to ensure their longevity, and with careful maintenance and cleaning can last many decades. 


Check out the kaftan here.


Below are some images of the blocks used and a video with highlights of the process.


Credit to the House of Wandering Silk for all media, and the process description



Some "outline" blocks used in the process


Process of creating the block printed pattern - highlights

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