Kota Doria Dress Material Sky Blue Floral Bouquet

This two piece unstitched dress material kurta top and dupatta the sheer graph check cotton from Kaithoon near Kota in Rajasthan The sky blue top centres on a generous multicoloured floral bouquet across the chest pink green and yellow blooms in dense thread work with lighter floral buti scattered below the matching sheer dupatta repeats the floral motifs along its borders The mark of a real Kota Doria is its khat the fine grid of tiny squares made by alternating finer and coarser cotton yarns during weaving On a handwoven piece the squares are never identical they shift by a fraction across the cloth because each is beaten in by hand a gentle irregularity no powerloom reproduces Held to the light the weave is open and luminous crisp from a traditional onion starch finish rather than a synthetic stiffener and remarkably light The bouquet and buti are surface thread embroidery not print turn the cloth and you will find the raised stitches and knots on the back A GI protected craft Kota Doria has been woven by the weaver families of Kaithoon for generations on pit looms The weave is loved for an unusual combination it is sheer and cool enough for the hottest days yet firm enough to carry detailed embroidery and to fall in a clean crisp drape Made up as a straight kurta the sky blue ground and central bouquet make a cheerful dressed up look that pairs well with light silver or pearl add the dupatta for festive lunches day functions and family gatherings The breathable cotton suits warm weather and the blue palette works with white silver or soft pink accessories