Jaipuri Hand Block Print Dress Material — Unstitched Cotton Suits
Jaipuri hand block is the block-printing tradition of Jaipur and the wider Rajasthan region: a carved wooden block is inked and placed on the cloth by hand, again and again across the length, in fine florals and geometric repeats. Our Jaipuri sets are cotton, unstitched, and come with a matching dupatta.
Why the irregularities are the point
A machine-printed floral repeats exactly every few inches and looks the same on every metre of every roll ever made. Hand-blocked cloth does not. The block is placed by eye, so registration shifts slightly across the width, and the dye takes unevenly where the cloth was folded. These are the marks people pay for, and they are worth explaining to anyone who mistakes them for defects.
Wearing and washing hand-printed cotton
Wash separately in cold water for the first three washes — dyes release a little colour early on, and indigo in particular will bleed onto lighter fabrics. Use a mild detergent, never bleach, and dry in shade rather than direct sun, which flattens depth of colour faster than anything else. Handled properly the colour softens attractively rather than fading out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jaipuri hand block print?
It is the block-printing tradition of Jaipur and the wider Rajasthan region. A pattern is carved into a wooden block, inked, and pressed onto the cloth by hand, one impression at a time, across the whole length. Because it is placed by eye, the repeat shifts very slightly as it travels — which is how you tell a hand block from a machine print.
How can I tell a hand block print from a machine print?
Look along the length of the cloth at the edges of the repeat. On a hand block the joins between impressions are slightly uneven and the ink density varies; on a machine print the repeat is identical every time and the edges are uniformly sharp.
Will hand-printed cotton bleed colour when I wash it?
A little, in the first two or three washes — surplus dye clears early. Wash separately in cold water with a mild detergent until the water runs clear, and keep indigo pieces away from anything light-coloured during that period.
Are these prints suitable for everyday wear?
Very much so. They are cotton, so they breathe, and the colour softens attractively with washing rather than looking worn out. Keep them out of direct sun when drying and they hold their depth of colour through several seasons.
Does the dupatta come with a Jaipuri cotton set?
Yes. Every set is a complete unstitched suit — top fabric, bottom fabric and a matching dupatta. The fabric lengths supplied are stated on each product page.
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