Adachikan
Bakhiya
Out of the 32 stitches, Bakhiya Stitch or Shadow Work is one of the most popular stitches of Lucknowi Chikankari. It’s for the most part done from the wrong side of the texture and the genuine design toward the front is rendered in herringbone style. The shadow of the string is seen on the material from the correct side. The mesmerising silhouette formed gives the look as if the embroidery is itself the texture of the garment. It is fabled that a Begum, on witnessing a beautiful appliqué dress of a British lady, wanted the same effect in embroidery on her dress, thus, this stitch of chikan was created in circa 18th century. It is done mostly in making petals of a floral motif or leaves giving a visual effect of a patch.
Bakhiya
Out of the 32 stitches, Bakhiya Stitch or Shadow Work is one of the most popular stitches of Lucknowi Chikankari. It’s for the most part done from the wrong side of the texture and the genuine design toward the front is rendered in herringbone style. The shadow of the string is seen on the material from the correct side. The mesmerising silhouette formed gives the look as if the embroidery is itself the texture of the garment. It is fabled that a Begum, on witnessing a beautiful appliqué dress of a British lady, wanted the same effect in embroidery on her dress, thus, this stitch of chikan was created in circa 18th century. It is done mostly in making petals of a floral motif or leaves giving a visual effect of a patch.