Maroon Ajrakh Mirror Work Blouse

The Maroon Ajrakh Mirror Work Blouse is a modal silk saree blouse in genuine Ajrakh hand block print, with hand-embroidered mirror work across the collar, back and sleeves. It brings together two distinct Kutch crafts in one piece — resist block printing and hand mirror embroidery — and suits festive wear, day weddings, and the kind of dressing where the outfit is meant to be looked at closely.

What is Ajrakh

Ajrakh is a resist block-printing and dyeing craft practised in Kutch in Gujarat and across the border in Sindh, with roots going back many centuries. What makes it different from an ordinary print is the process: the cloth passes through sixteen or more stages of washing, resist-paste printing, dyeing and drying, using natural dyes — indigo for blue, madder root for the deep reds and maroons. Each colour requires its own carved wooden block and its own round of printing and drying. A single length can take weeks.

Because it is resist-printed, true Ajrakh shows the pattern on both sides of the cloth, and the geometry is built on repeating symmetry rather than a single placed motif. Slight irregularities in registration are normal and are how hand block printing is identified.

The mirror work

The mirror work is hand-embroidered, not glued or machine-applied. Each mirror is held by hand-stitched thread framing worked around its edge. On this blouse it runs across the collar, back and sleeves rather than only at the front, so the piece reads as finished from every angle — which matters, because a saree pallu covers most of the front.

About modal silk

Modal silk is a soft, fluid blend with a gentle sheen. It takes natural dyes well, which is what makes it a good ground for Ajrakh, and it drapes more softly than a stiff cotton — comfortable through a long function without creasing the way pure cotton does.

Styling it

Maroon Ajrakh works beautifully with plain drapes that let the print lead — kota, linen, handloom cotton, plain modal, chanderi and mul. It also pairs with indigo, mustard, beige, ivory, black and bottle green sarees. For a coordinated look, wear it with a plain maroon or indigo saree. Keep jewellery in oxidised silver rather than gold; silver sits better with natural-dye palettes and with mirror work.

Product details

• Fabric: Modal Silk
• Print: Genuine Ajrakh hand block print
• Work: Hand-embroidered mirror work on collar, back and sleeves
• Colour: Maroon
• Neckline: Collar neck
• Sleeves: Sleeved, 11 inches
• Padding: Padded
• Lining: Lined
• Closure: Front closure
• Blouse length: 14.5 inches
• Sizes: refer to the size chart beside the product images

Please note: this blouse is available only in the sizes listed above. Custom sizing is not offered on this design. Each blouse carries a margin, so there is room if you ever need a small adjustment.

Care

The first clean must be a dry clean. This sets the colours so they stay fast and do not bleed later. It matters especially on naturally dyed Ajrakh — skipping the first dry clean is the most common reason a handcrafted blouse loses colour. Once that first dry clean is done, you can wash it at home afterwards if you prefer.

For later washes: cold water, mild detergent, washed separately. Do not soak or scrub, and keep the mirror work away from hard rubbing. Dry in shade, as direct sunlight fades natural dyes. Iron on low heat inside out with a soft cloth over the mirrors.

Frequently asked questions

Is this real Ajrakh or an Ajrakh-style print?
It is genuine Ajrakh hand block print. The fabric is printed with carved wooden blocks through the traditional resist and natural-dye process, not digitally printed in an Ajrakh style.

What is Ajrakh printing?
Ajrakh is a resist block-printing and dyeing craft from Kutch in Gujarat and Sindh. The cloth goes through sixteen or more stages of printing, dyeing and washing using natural dyes — indigo for blue and madder root for deep reds and maroons. Each colour needs its own carved block and its own round of printing.

How can I tell genuine Ajrakh from a printed copy?
True Ajrakh is resist-printed, so the pattern appears on both sides of the cloth. Look also for small irregularities in how the blocks meet — perfect, identical repeats usually indicate a machine print.

Is the mirror work hand-done?
Yes. Each mirror is held in place by hand-stitched thread framing worked around its edge by an artisan. It is not glued or machine-applied.

Where is the mirror work placed?
Across the collar, back and sleeves — not only at the front. That matters under a saree, where the pallu covers much of the front.

What is modal silk?
Modal silk is a soft, fluid blend with a gentle sheen. It takes natural dyes well, which makes it a good ground for Ajrakh, and it drapes more softly than stiff cotton without creasing as easily.

Do I have to dry clean this blouse?
The first clean must be a dry clean. This sets the colours so they stay fast and do not bleed later. After that first dry clean you can wash it at home — cold water, mild detergent, washed separately, dried in shade.

Is custom sizing available for this blouse?
No. This design is available only in the sizes listed. We offer custom sizing on our hand-painted, chikankari and Kutch work blouses — not on this one. Please check the size chart before ordering.

Is there any margin in the blouse?
Yes. Each blouse is stitched to the size you order and carries a margin, so there is room if you ever need a small adjustment.

Is it padded and lined?
Yes, it is padded and fully lined, so no separate camisole is needed.

Which sarees go with a maroon Ajrakh blouse?
Plain drapes work best — kota, linen, handloom cotton, modal, chanderi and mul. It also pairs with indigo, mustard, beige, ivory, black and bottle green sarees.

Will my blouse look exactly like the photos?
Very close. Hand block printing means block placement varies slightly between pieces, and natural dyes vary a little between batches. That variation is how hand-printed cloth is identified.

How long does delivery take?
We dispatch in 3–4 working days and deliver in 5–7 working days across India.