Handwork Lehenga

Hand Work Lehenga

A machine completes the work in an hour. Our karigars take days to complete it.

Until you feel both in your hands, it seems to be a bad bargain.

Machine work is smooth. It remains the same on every fabric. But handmade work has tiny little imperfections which are noticeable. Shapes are not the same and catch light in their unique way.

Here are the parts that are hand-stitched by our karigars in our unit at Sikar since 1978.

What Does Hand Work Mean

"There was no use of printing blocks and machines for embroidering the garments."

"First the pattern is made on the cloth by drawing a line with light chalk. And then the karigar follows the line to cut the gota, place it and stitch it. He takes the bead to sew it. And again the next bead."

"On a fully embroidered lehenga there could be many such tiny little processes."

"Such is the whole trick of the trade."

The Types of Hand Work You Will Find Here

We do many kinds of work. Here is the short meaning of each one.

Gota Patti: Thin strips of gold or silver sewn to the cloth. This is our unique creation and we are famous for that.

Cut Work: The gota patti is first cut into the shape of leaves, flowers, and birds and then these shapes are sewn on one by one.

Cutdana: Cut beads. Dana means bead. These beads have tiny faces like stones and thus twinkle when moved.

Mirror work: Round small mirrors are attached to the cloth using threads which run along the whole circumference. It is an old Rajasthani and Gujarati technique.

Zardosi: Heavy embroidery using metal threads. Used for bridal and reception wear.

Stone Work: Stones sewn one by one to add a shine to the design.

Bead Work: Beads to fill the shapes or borders.

Bandhani: Tie and Dye. Cloth is first tied into thousands of little knots which are then dyed and become little white dots.

These techniques are often used in combination for different effects in many lehengas. For example, gota patti may be used for the design while cutdana is used to create a sparkly effect.

Hand Work or Machine Work, How to Tell

This is useful to know before you buy from anyone.

Feel it: There are small bumps and stitches in hand sewing that you can touch with your fingers. In machine sewing and glued, it feels flat and smooth.

Check the other side: Hand sewing has stitch marks on the reverse side. The reverse side of glue and printing has nothing.

Notice the small variations: In hand work, one leaf is a bit larger and one flower is a bit different position. In machine work, there is absolutely no difference anywhere. The difference is the evidence, not defect.

Gently pull: The sewed work does not shift while the glued work does.

Why No Two Pieces Are the Same

Sometimes we receive messages where people tell us their piece seems a bit different from the picture.

And this is perfectly normal because...

There would never be two karigars who will put a flower in the same exact place on a piece. There are also differences in how the dye reacts in each new batch. Thus, the color can be slightly different, being a bit darker or brighter.

Such uniqueness is a charm of handmade products because this is your unique piece only.

Fabrics We Use

Chinon is soft and very light. Good for long functions.

Georgette is light but has a little more body. It works for most events.

Kota Doria is thin with a fine square weave. The best pick for summer.

Upada silk has a soft shine and sits between light and heavy.

Organza is crisp and gives a full shape without much weight.

Gaji silk is thick and shiny. It holds a big round ghera. Best for weddings.

Simple rule. Hot day means Kota Doria or chinon. Evening wedding means gaji silk. Anything else means georgette.

How Long It Takes

The stock items are available with us and shipped within 2 to 3 working days.

Pre order implies that the item is made after the order.

Small works are delivered within 5 to 7 working days. The medium works are delivered within 15 to 20 days. The heavy bridal works may be delivered within 25 to 30 days.

The time frame is stated on every product page. Please read before ordering.

For weddings and functions, please order in advance and mention the date on WhatsApp.

Price

Price is determined by two criteria: the fabric and the amount of hand work done on the garment.

The lowest price will belong to the chinon lehenga with gota work border. The gaji silk bridal ensemble with all gota patti, cutdana and zardosi work on skirt, border and dupatta will take several weeks. Therefore, it will cost more.

If the seller offers an extremely cheap garment with heavy hand embroidery, then the embroidery is glued or printed, not hand-made. The karigar has to live. Hand work cannot be extremely cheap.

When to Wear It

Wedding and reception. Heavy gota patti, zardosi and cutdana. Red, rani or maroon.

Sangeet. Light fabric with medium work. You have to dance.

Haldi. Yellow, light, simple work.

Mehendi. Green or multi colour with mirror work.

Teej, Gangaur, Diwali and Karwa Chauth. Bandhani with gota patti is the old favourite.

Family pujas and small functions. A simple hand work border is enough.

What You Get

All items are available in full sets. Lehenga, Choli & Dupatta

Lehenga length is 42 inches. The width varies from 42 to 44 inches.

Do you need a bigger size or longer length? Feel free to contact us via WhatsApp before ordering the item. We can customize almost any size.

How to Take Care of It

Dry clean only. Please do not wash it at home. Water will loosen the stitches and make the gold lose its shine.

Do not twist the fabric for removing water from it.

Always store the fabric in a cotton cloth bag. Do not keep it in any plastic covering. Hand embroidery requires breath.

Always iron it by turning the lehenga inside out and putting a light cotton cloth over it. Do not put the hot iron directly on gota, mirrors, and beads.

Unfold it once in a while and refold it in another way. It will avoid hard fold lines.

Why Buy From Us

We design and create our own products. We are not a retailer who purchases from market and resells.

We are KCPC Bandhani of Sikar, Rajasthan. Our artisans work in our unit itself. All the processes such as tying, dyeing, cutting, and stitching take place with us.

Therefore, we can assure you what exactly is present on any particular product. There is no need for any guessing.

We have received more than 8,300 reviews by satisfied customers. Our rating is 4.79. Orders are delivered in all parts of India as well as other countries.

Can't decide between two colors? Confused about sizing? Contact us on WhatsApp at +91 9166259900 or support@onlinebandhej.com. We will analyze the product for you even before the payment.

FAQs

1.What is hand work lehenga?

Ans. This is a lehenga where the pattern is created through handwork with the help of needle and thread. All gota, bead, mirror and stone work is done individually. No printing or machine work is used at all.

2.Is hand work better than machine work?

Ans. It is more durable and elegant since it is sewn and not glued or printed. Also, hand work pieces cost more as they take many days to produce.

3.How can I be sure that it is hand work?

Ans. Just touch it. You will notice the stitches. Turn it over and you will see thread behind it. Shapes are going to be slightly different.

4.Why is there some difference between my piece and photo?

Ans. As it is hand work and therefore, each piece is unique. No two karigars put the pattern in the exact same way and color of dye may vary slightly.

5.Does it come with a blouse and dupatta?

Ans. Yes. All items in this collection are sets of three.

6.Is the hand work very heavy for wearing?

Ans. It depends on the fabric used. Chinon and Kota Doria items are lightweight, whereas Gaji silk wedding saree is heavy.

7.Can I get my own size?

Ans. Our standard size is 42 inches in length. If you want any other size, contact us through WhatsApp before placing an order.

8.How do I wash it?

Ans. Dry clean only. Machine washing and hand washing are strictly prohibited.

9.Can I exchange a defective product?

Ans. Yes, you can, but only if the product is really defective. You have 3 days from the date you receive the product. For the complete policy, see the bottom of every page.

10.Do you ship your products abroad as well?

Ans. Yes, we do. The charge depends on the destination.