1 yard of handblock printed cotton Ajrakh fabric

Fabric specifications and care

Material and colouring

Cotton. Indigo.

Weight (GSM)

120 g/m²

Width

44"

Length

1 yard

Hand feel

Light-to-midweight cotton with an estimated 120–160 GSM; the cloth feels soft but with a gently crisp, slightly textured surface visible in the images. It holds a relaxed drape rather than being stiff, and the small block-print repeat sits nicely without puckering — ideal for garments that need structure without weight.

Drape rating

4/5

Transparency

Sheer

Suggested uses

✦ Ideal for Button-up shirts & blouses; Shirt-dresses and wrap dresses; Lightweight summer skirts (A-line or gathered); Loungewear and pyjama sets (cami tops, relaxed trousers); Children’s day dresses and rompers. These are excellent because the fabric’s breathable, light-to-midweight body, small-scale motif and soft drape suit garments that need movement, comfort and clear pattern repeat. ✦ Also suitable for Unlined café or tiered curtains (use lining for privacy); Lightweight lined summer jackets or waistcoats (requires full lining); Soft tote bags and market bags with interfacing; Quilting, patchwork and table linens (use backing or interlining where durability is needed). ✦ Not recommended for Heavy upholstery or sofa covers, structured tailored suiting, swimwear, heavy outercoats, or any application that requires high abrasion or water resistance. The fabric is too lightweight and not engineered for heavy structural or technical use.

Care instructions

Wash separately in cold water with mild detergent; do not bleach. Line dry in shade to preserve dye; tumble dry only on low if necessary. Iron on a medium cotton setting (about 150–180°C) with steam; store folded away from direct sunlight to avoid fading.

Washing and shrinkage

Hand-wash or gentle machine wash in cold water; expect around 3–5% shrinkage on first wash and possible light indigo transfer for the first 1–3 washes if not pre-washed.

Craft story

This is traditional Ajrakh — a handblock-printed cotton made by multi-generation artisans from the Kutch/Sindh craft tradition. Each motif is built up through layered resist-dyeing and hand-stamping with carved wooden blocks using natural indigo and earth pigments. The slightly irregular outlines and soft colour depth are the fingerprints of slow, artisan process rather than machine precision, giving every metre a quietly individual character.

Colour notes

A soft indigo with a slightly dusty, denim-blue tone and subtle tonal variation from the hand-dye process. The blue reads deeper in shadow and slightly brighter in direct daylight — the gentle mottling is a hallmark of natural indigo and block printing.

Additional notes

Please note: natural indigo and handblock printing produce small colour and motif variations between batches — this is part of the handmade character. Expect some initial colour transfer; pre-washing separately is recommended.