1 yard of cotton handblockprinted indigo Ajrakh fabric

Fabric specifications and care

Material and colouring

Cotton. Natural dyed.

Weight (GSM)

120 g/m²

Width

46"

Length

1 yard

Hand feel

A midweight, tightly woven cotton with a pleasant, slightly textured surface and a soft but substantial hand (approx. 120 GSM). The cloth has moderate body — enough structure for shirts and light outer layers yet enough drape for skirt and dress silhouettes; images show a faint slub and the typical creasing of handloom cotton. It is not sheer and holds shape without being stiff.

Drape rating

4/5

Transparency

Sheer

Suggested uses

✦ Ideal for Button‑front shirts and workshirts; shirt‑dresses and mid‑length summer dresses; lightweight chore jackets / shackets; A‑line and gathered midi skirts; cushion covers and simple table runners. These uses take advantage of the fabric’s midweight body, natural drape and bold indigo block print while staying within wearability and home-decor scales that sewists commonly make. ✦ Also suitable for Tote bags and market bags with interfacing; lined pinafores or pinafore-dresses; lined casual trousers or culottes (use underlining for structure); lightweight curtains or Roman blinds for small windows (pre-wash to reduce bleeding); quilting accents and patchwork panels (as conditioned pieces). ✦ Not recommended for Structured tailoring or suiting; swimwear or performance activewear; heavy-duty upholstery for high-wear seating; delicate lingerie or sheer overlays. These projects require either heavier technical fabrics, high stretch, or very stable colourfastness that this hand-dyed cotton does not provide.

Care instructions

Wash cold on a gentle cycle or by hand with a mild detergent, wash separately for first 2–3 washes; do not use bleach. Line dry in the shade to preserve colour; iron on medium heat on the reverse while slightly damp. Store folded away from direct sunlight to avoid uneven fading.

Washing and shrinkage

Hand wash or gentle machine wash in cold water separately for first few washes to remove excess indigo; expect approximately 3–5% shrinkage on the first wash (mostly in length).

Craft story

This is hand-block printed Ajrakh cotton, a centuries-old textile tradition from the Kutch region worked by skilled artisan families. Each motif is carved into wooden blocks and printed with natural indigo and resist pastes through a long, multi-stage dyeing and mordanting process — the soft haloed edges and irregularities are the fingerprints of that labour. The result is a sustainably dyed, double-sided stable print with a quietly modern, geometric repeat that feels both historic and contemporary.

Colour notes

The indigo shows a deep, slightly muted blue with subtle tonal variation and the soft ‘halo’ at hand-resist edges typical of natural dyeing. Under bright daylight the blue reads richer and more saturated; in softer indoor light the tone appears gentler and more matte.

Additional notes

Please note: natural indigo will rub and may bleed slightly on first washes — this is normal for handmade, naturally dyed fabrics. Minor irregularities in print and slight shade variation between pieces are a characteristic of Ajrakh and part of its handmade charm.