Hand block printing is an age-old art where artisans carve intricate designs onto wooden blocks, then stamp them onto fabric by hand. Imagine each block, a masterpiece in itself, meticulously crafted with precision and passion. It's a labor of love that brings each pattern to life, stitch by stitch, print by print.
Pure Hand Block Printing: Pure hand block printing is an artisanal craft that has been passed down through generations. Here's what makes it special:
- Artisan Craftsmanship: Each piece is made by skilled artisans who carve intricate designs into wooden blocks. These blocks are then dipped in dye and stamped onto the fabric by hand. Every stamp is placed with care and precision, resulting in unique and detailed patterns.
- Unique Designs: Since each block is hand-carved and stamped, no two pieces are exactly alike. The slight variations in the print are a testament to the handcrafted nature of the process, adding to the charm and authenticity of the fabric.
- Natural Dyes: Traditional hand block printing often uses natural dyes, which are eco-friendly and safe for the skin. These dyes create rich, vibrant colors that are difficult to achieve with synthetic alternatives.
- Time-Consuming Process: The process is labor-intensive and time-consuming, often taking days or even weeks to complete a single piece of fabric. This dedication to detail ensures high-quality, unique pieces that stand out.
Machine-Produced Hand Block Printing: Machine-produced hand block printing, on the other hand, involves a more industrial approach:
- Speed and Efficiency: Machines can replicate hand block designs much faster than artisans. This allows for mass production, making the process quicker and more cost-effective.
- Uniformity: Machine printing ensures uniformity across all pieces, with little to no variation in the design. While this might appeal to some, it lacks the unique charm and character of handcrafted pieces.
- Synthetic Dyes: Machine printing often uses synthetic dyes, which may not have the same depth and richness as natural dyes. Additionally, synthetic dyes can sometimes be less environmentally friendly.
- Less Personal Touch: The personal touch of an artisan’s hand is absent in machine printing. The connection to tradition and the meticulous care that goes into each piece of hand block fabric is lost.
To understand the history of how Hand Block craft came into being, read here.
How to spot if its a pure Hand Block piece:
Each piece is unique with slight pattern and color variations, showcasing the individuality of every item. Small smudges or uneven prints are normal and highlight the handcrafted nature, adding to the charm of the piece. Made with natural, eco-friendly dyes, you may notice some color fading over time, so it's best to wash gently in cold water and avoid direct sunlight. Handcrafted quality also means you can expect slight differences in design and size, making each item truly one-of-a-kind. Initial washes may cause color bleeding, so be sure to wash similar colors together. Variations in dye shades are a natural result of using eco-friendly dyes, ensuring each piece is distinctive and environmentally conscious.
How to take care of hand block pieces:
- Gentle Washing: Hand wash or use a gentle cycle in cold water to prevent fading and bleeding of colors using mild detergents to protect the natural dyes and fabric.
- Separate Wash: Wash hand block printed items separately, especially for the first few washes, to avoid color transfer and do not soak the fabric for long periods to prevent color bleeding and weakening of fibers.
- Drying: Dry in shade to avoid direct sunlight, which can cause colors to fade. Lay flat or hang to dry naturally.
- Ironing: Iron on the reverse side on a low setting to preserve the print. Avoid using a hot iron directly on the printed surface.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid keeping hand block pieces in plastic bags for extended periods to prevent moisture buildup.
At Desi Hart we ensure to use the traditional hand block techniques to produce the most authentic Hand Block short kurtis and short tops. With our designs and short kurtis, we hope that women of today can also enjoy wearing these culturally rich crafts without having to go out of their way to change their look or lifestyle. We try to do this by creating pieces that are super easy to infuse in your everyday life such as for work, temple runs, shopping, chilling with friends or light festivities. Pairing up is also made super simple so you dont have to do anything out of the normal to wear a legacy piece.
