Indigo Leaf Buti Dabu Block Print Cotton

Simple, upright leaf buti motifs scattered across a deep natural indigo ground — each motif printed in two tones, the lighter mid-blue contrasting with the darker vat-dyed ground. Understated and quietly beautiful. The kind of fabric that works as well as a lining or backing as it does as a main fabric.

Hand block printed in Bagru, Rajasthan using the dabu mud-resist technique. Dabu printing is one of the oldest and most labour-intensive forms of Indian block printing — a paste of black clay, lime and gum is applied by hand-carved wooden block to areas of the cloth to resist the dye, then the fabric is dusted with sawdust to prevent sticking, dried, and dipped in the dye bath. The process can be repeated multiple times to build up layers of pattern and colour. Each piece carries the subtle marks of this process — soft edges, gentle variation in colour depth, and the occasional bleed or blur that is the hallmark of genuine dabu work. Dyed with natural indigo. This is a hand block printed dabu cotton fabric made in Bagru, Rajasthan, sold by the metre from the UK.

— Fabric details —

Material: 100% cotton

Width: 112cm / 44 inches

Weight: approx. 80gsm

Handle: lightweight with a soft, slightly open weave

— Ordering —

Sold in 0.5 metre increments. Multiple quantities supplied in one continuous length.

— Good for —

Quilting · Patchwork · Dressmaking · Linings · Shirts · Bags · Home furnishings · Craft

— Care —

Machine wash at 30°. Some colour release on first wash is normal — it settles. Pre-wash before sewing if you prefer.