Production Process

The process of tie-dye is simple but laborious and time consuming. The material is folded several times in half until reduced to a square or rectangular piece. After spreading it on a wooden table, desired designs are marked on it with a wooden block using ‘GHERU’ (Redoxide) mixed with water. It is then given to a bandhani craftsperson who ties the marked portions into tiny knots. The motifs indicated by the block are sized and tied with thread thus retaining the color of the fabric in that portion. After the process of tying and dyeing, the cloth is washed with soft water to remove the color impurities. After this the process of hitching is done. Two persons catch the cloth and hitch in the open air / winds or in the sunlight. The traditional motifs used are Sikar, Kori, Badam, Champakali, Kharekh etc. Bandhani is used on main products like sarees, Punjabi dresses, cloth, skirts and shawls. Tie-dye odhains are produced in cotton, silk and georgette. Mandvi, Bhuj, Khavda, Dhamanka, Tera, Bara and Anjar are main centers of tie-dye.