Traditional Dabu ( mud-resist) print with red and plain base on cotton

Fabric specifications and care

Material and colouring

Red Dabu (mud-resist) printing done on cotton

Weight (GSM)

120 g/m²

Width

44"

Length

1 yard

Hand feel

120 GSM cotton with a light, airy hand — noticeably sheer but with enough body to hold a soft shape when worn. The surface is smooth with gentle puckering around the printed motifs and a faint crackle visible in close‑ups (see images), giving subtle texture without stiffness. Drape is soft and flowing rather than structured, ideal for layered pieces and loose silhouettes.

Drape rating

4/5

Transparency

Sheer

Suggested uses

✦ Ideal for Sheer tunic blouses and relaxed button‑front shirts; Lightweight scarves, bandanas and neckerchiefs; Sheer curtain panels or café‑style window treatments; Layered summer skirt overlays and slip overlays; Duster kimono or open‑front beach cover‑ups. These uses suit the fabric because its 120gsm, sheer but bodyful hand and soft drape show off the Dabu print while working with — rather than against — its translucency and delicate texture. ✦ Also suitable for Unlined summer dresses or shift dresses (recommended with a cotton lawn or voile lining); Children’s sundresses and pinafores with simple cotton lining; Lightweight pyjama tops or lounge shirts (wearing a camisole underneath if preferred); Decorative cushion covers or simple table runners (consider a backing/interlining for durability). ✦ Not recommended for Structured garments that need body such as tailored trousers, blazers or fitted jackets; Heavy‑use upholstery or seat cushions; Swimwear or activewear; Heavy winter coats or any application requiring significant abrasion resistance.

Care instructions

Cold or lukewarm gentle wash (max 30°C), mild eco detergent, do not bleach; line dry in shade or flat dry to avoid sun‑fading; iron on medium heat (cotton setting) on the reverse or with a pressing cloth while slightly damp to revive drape; store folded away from direct sunlight to preserve dye depth.

Washing and shrinkage

Hand wash or gentle machine wash in cold water with mild detergent; expect 3–5% shrinkage on the first wash — further shrinkage should be minimal if washed cool thereafter. Wash separately for the first few washes as natural dyes can release excess colour.

Craft story

This cotton cloth is hand‑crafted using the traditional Dabu mud‑resist technique from Rajasthan, where small cooperative clusters of block printers and dyers work with natural pigments and fermented mud pastes. Each repeat is hand‑stamped, resisted and then dyed so the red motifs carry the irregular edges, tiny splashes and fine crackle lines that are the signature of the craft. The result is a tactile, lived‑in textile with the honest marks of human hands — no two metres read exactly the same, making every cut a small piece of living heritage.

Colour notes

The red reads as a warm, earthy terracotta/brick red with muted depth from the mud‑resist process; close inspection reveals slight tone variation and tiny speckles where the resist allowed dye to pool or resist. In bright daylight the red looks a touch lighter and more terracotta; under warm indoor light it reads richer and more sanguine — these subtle shifts are intrinsic to hand dyeing.

Additional notes

Please note: natural Dabu dyes and hand stamping produce batch variation and small irregularities — this is part of the handmade character of the fabric. Colour may mellow or release a small amount of dye on early washes, so we recommend washing separately and following the care instructions.