Handloom sarees are one of a kind and require special care and preservation to maintain their luster and charm. These are expensive sarees that are sometimes passed on from one generation to the next given their exquisiteness and royalty. It is important that we care for these sarees properly to ensure their longevity. Handloom sarees are delicate and their fabric is prone to tear, weathering and stains from moisture exposure. Therefore, there are particular instructions and do’s and don’ts on how to care for these pieces.

How to wash and dry your handloom saree?

Designer handloom silk sarees cannot be washed with your regular detergent in a machine. They need to be dry cleaned at a good dry cleaner where conditions are controlled. Such heavy attire should not be washed with hot water or rinsed after washing. You must wash it in cold water and dry it, without squeezing the water out, in a shady place where there is no direct sunlight. You should not use any bleach, dyes or coloring substances to wash your heavy handloom sarees as this can lead to discoloration or staining. You should also soak it in saltwater for an hour before washing it in cold water with a mild detergent. There are detergents that specifically cater to such fabrics. You could get one such detergent to wash your designer handloom saree if you wish to wash it yourself at home. You should never use a brush to clean stains on the saree as it might tear the fabric. Never, wash your designer's clothing in a washing machine. It has to be hand-washed separately following the above-mentioned instructions. However, the best suggestion is to give it to your dry cleaner as they can clean the fabric gently without washing the cloth, to maintain its shine and life both.

How to remove stains?

Staining is common as we usually wear such sarees for occasions where we eat in buffets and step outdoors in open spaces. These circumstances tend to stain your saree sometimes. These stains require immediate attention in order to be removed. If you do not act with haste, these marks will taint your saree forever. In case you drop food/oil on the saree, you must use unflavoured talcum powder on the spot to soak the oil and then gently rub and wash that part only. If you drop some liquid on the saree, then you can clean that part by dipping a cotton ball in pure petrol to remove the stains.

How to iron the saree?

You must use the iron with a medium/low heat depending upon the fabric. If it’s a thin and delicate fabric, you should use the iron on a low heat setting; if the fabric is tough and thick, then you can switch to medium heat to remove the creases. However, never, use the iron on high heat for handloom sarees. It could burn and leave marks on the fabric. Also, you could use a steam iron on such sarees for reducing the harm to the fabric. In case, you are using a normal iron on the saree, use a napkin or some cloth above the saree and press on that. This reduces the risk of heat on the saree which can cause discolored creases and press marks in the saree. Also, you should never spray water on the saree before ironing; it could lead to color bleeding and spoil the entire saree.

How to store the handloom sarees?

To preserve the saree for a long time, such sarees should be stored in a dry place. Any moisture-prone area will affect the fabric and stain or tear the saree. You should use silicone gel pouches in the storing area to lock the moisture and keep the place dry. It is preferred to fold and keep such sarees in separate covers. Also, you should use a thin muslin cloth to wrap the saree in, in order to maintain the shine of the zari. You must never use naphthalene balls in the area where you store these sarees, as this can cause the zari and handwork to blacken and get tainted. You should also ensure that there is no direct sunlight or harsh light where you store these sarees. This can cause the fabric to fade quicker and lose its richness.

Some general tips:

• Wear sweat absorbent pads while wearing heavy designer clothing in order to prevent the fabric from getting stained
• It is preferred to approach a good dry cleaner to remove stains and clean the saree
• Stains can be removed if acted quickly on them. The longer you leave the stain, the tougher it gets to remove them
• You can use white toothpaste to remove stains as well from such fabrics

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The saree is the most beautiful attire of Indian culture and it brings out the richness in our traditions while at the same time magnifying the beauty of an Indian woman. There are a number of weave patterns, fabrics, textures and styles that can be seen in sarees. Every region in the country has its own version of the saree, both in terms of wearing the attire and also the weaving style in the fabric and the material used.

The Jamdani Uppada Saree is one of the styles and versions of the saree from the state of Andhra Pradesh. This comes from the weaving community in a place called Uppada. The handloom industry in the area is widely popular for its exquisite and intricate weaves. Some of the highest quality of weaving comes from these weavers. Talking about the Jamdani saree, the term Jamdani comes from ‘JAM’ which means flower while ‘DANI’ means vase. So, the patterns seen in this saree are usually flowery in the form of “butidar” prints (wherein the entire sari is dispersed with florals), the “tercha” print (diagonally striped florals), or the “jhalar” print  (a network of floral motifs). These are some of the design patterns in a Jamdani saree.

Some interesting facts that make this saree even more gorgeous are that it’s very lightweight, soft in texture and gives a rich and festive look. Therefore, it is a preferred choice for women who prioritize comfort. It takes about 10-60 days to weave a single saree when a couple of weavers spend nearly 10 hours each day in weaving. That itself tells a great deal about the handiwork that goes behind making these sarees. Each saree is an individual masterpiece because any slight alteration in the pattern can spoil the whole design of the saree. This makes the saree even more valuable and in demand. Every single motif is added to the saree by adding thick threads to fine warp threads; which makes this a painstaking process and requires a long time.  Jamdani Sarees’ distinctive mark of excellence reflects in the way thick threads are combined with fine warp threads to create motifs that stand out and give the saree its unique identity. This art of traditional weaving has thus, also been declared as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.

The weaving technique of the Jamdani Uppada Saree involves etching each design as a blueprint on graph paper first and then placing it in the warp for weaving the patterns on the silk fabric for accuracy. Therefore, the Jamdani pattern of weaving is considered to be one of the most advanced styles of weaving. These sarees also feature pure gold and silver laces (zari) to boost the splendor of the outfit. The interweaving of threads, looming, adding the knots and preparing the border is a tiresome process and requires immense skill which makes the saree even more magnificent. Great skill goes behind weaving each Jamdani Saree as a thick weft is added depending on the design along with a thin one. This makes the design synonymous with both sides of the saree. This weaving pattern is laborious and time taking and therefore it makes the saree precious and the production volume low.

If you want to get your hands on these marvelous pieces of regal elegance, you can find them at UPPADA SAREES where each saree is handpicked for its uniqueness. Buy your Jamdani Saree and enhance your saree collection with Uppada sarees.