1 yard of cotton handblockprinted ajrakh fabric

Fabric specifications and care

Material and colouring

100% cotton. Natural dyed.

Weight (GSM)

120 g/m²

Width

44"

Length

1 Yard

Hand feel

A midweight, tightly woven cotton with a crisp but comfortable hand that softens noticeably after a gentle wash; estimated around 140–160 GSM. The surface has a faint texture where the resist and pigments sit on the yarns, giving structure and body while still allowing a relaxed drape as seen in the images.

Drape rating

4/5

Transparency

Semi-Sheer

Suggested uses

✦ Ideal for Casual button-front shirts and blouses for everyday wear; relaxed shirt-dresses and tunics with simple seams; A-line or gathered midi skirts; lightweight unlined chore coats/shackets and lightweight home accents. These uses make the most of the fabric’s medium weight, printed surface and natural-dye character while staying within its drape and durability limits. ✦ Also suitable for Lined tote bags or market bags with interfacing (adds structure); children's dresses and shirts (prewash first); lightweight lined jackets or waistcoats; table runners and napkins with a backing — minor lining or interfacing recommended for structure or opacity. ✦ Not recommended for Heavy upholstery (sofas, high-wear chairs), swimwear or activewear, finely tailored suiting, delicate lingerie — the fabric lacks the stretch, abrasion resistance or drape required for these uses.

Care instructions

Wash cold (30°C) by hand or on a gentle machine cycle with mild detergent; wash separately for the first 2–3 washes to avoid crocking. Line dry in the shade; tumble-dry on low only if necessary. Iron inside-out on a medium setting (around 150°C) to protect the natural dyes. Store folded in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Washing and shrinkage

Hand or gentle machine wash cold and separately for the first few washes; expect approximately 3–5% shrinkage on first wash (typical for unprewashed cotton and handmade dyestuff).

Craft story

This cloth is traditional Ajrakh from western India — handblock printed by small co-operatives who follow a multi-step resist-and-dye ritual passed down through generations. Each motif is hand-stamped in carved wooden blocks and moved through natural dyes (indigo for the ground and iron/madder tones for the red) in repeated sequences; the slow, layered process gives the print its characteristic soft halo and depth. What makes this piece special is the small irregularities and tonal layering that only arise from manual dyeing and block placement — no two repeats are exactly the same.

Colour notes

The ground reads as a deep indigo/navy with warm madder-like red-orange floral motifs; you’ll notice subtle tonal shifts and soft ‘halos’ at motif edges — a hallmark of natural-resist dyeing. In warm indoor light the reds feel richer; in daylight the indigo deepens and the printed outlines become crisper.

Additional notes

Please note: natural dye colours and block-print registration will vary slightly between bolts and batches — this is part of the handmade character. To reduce colour transfer, wash separately for the first few washes and avoid hot water or bleach.