Introduction to Patola Silk Sarees

Patola means “Queen of Silk” and is one of Gujarat’s best handloom silk sarees varieties. Patola silk sarees are woven with inordinate precision. They are renowned across the globe for their highly delicate patterns. These sarees are unique in themselves as these patola sarees feature geometric designs with folk motifs and flaming colors. Elephants, human figures, Kalash, flowers, paan, and parrots are some of the popular designs engraved in the saree. The most sought-after designs have their unique names such as Nari Kunjar Bhat, Paan Bhat, Navratna Bhat, Voharagaji, Fulvali Bhatt, etc. These handwoven wonders are the products of months of hard work by the artisans and that is why each piece is unique in itself. Its massive value is not just because of its intricacy but also because of the wonderful amount of skill and persistence that goes into making it.

While some millennial brides think it to be a choice for the elderly, actually these are quite popular for their vibrant colors and unique designs that the brides love these days. This pure product of the weaver’s craft is not just very expensive but it is also a timeless classic. Some interesting combinations are green and red patola, black patola and red border, blue and mustard yellow patola, and pink and orange patola with zari are some of the popular choices.

Origin and History

A double ikkat weave, Patola sarees are known to be originated in the town of Patan in Gujarat. It is believed that 700 silk weavers of the Salvi caste of Karnataka and Maharashtra moved to Gujarat in the 12th century to get the patronage of the Solanki Rajputs, this ruling class of Gujarat as well as parts of Rajasthan. The patola silk became so popular that even after the Solanki Empire declined, the Gujarati woman treat these sarees as a sign of social status. It also formed as an essential part of the stridhan or the part of a bride’s property that she got from her own home.

The history of the Patola saree dates back to the 12th century. The historical evidence regulates that Patola sarees have been made since at least the thirteenth century and have always had refined or ritualistic associations. The walls of a few south Indian temples like Mattancheri and Padmanabhapuram contain depictions of Patola designs from the eighteenth century.

Patola sarees – a treasured collection for generations

A patola saree is treasured collection that can be found in every Indian women’s closet all over the world who loves saree. Handloom silk saree, as well as khadi apparel from India, have their own appeal and many fashion designers are attracted to this kind of fabric to create their work. Original patolas might seem hard to find as the weavers who make these kinds of clothes are very less and the saree is also very expensive.

If there is a question in your mind about what to wear for the evening, then definitely you don’t have to look any further than the original patola sarees. After knowing the Patola history, you will be eager to have one in your collection. These beautiful Indian silks are perfect for formal occasions and will augment your beauty especially when paired with the right kind of blouses and accessories. The double ikkat type made in Patan is very difficult to make, but it is not impossible if done by skilled hands like those found at the textile store. The intricate and delicate patterns which are embedded on both sides of the saree make it easy to wear from either side, so you can always style your outfit based on what’s looking more interesting. If natural colors are a problem for you, then whites and off whites options are also available.

The Specialty of a Real Patola Saree

Weaving Process: Both the warp and the weft thread are dyed in double ikkat Patolas to bring a unique look. The weaving process needs a lot of concentration and precision. Even a tiny mistake can destroy the beauty of the entire design. Because of the unique weaving technique, the Patola sarees are reversible and look exactly the same on both sides. There are times when the weaver cannot tell the difference.

• Colors: The vibrant colors are the magic behind the beauty of these sarees. Patan patola sarees make use of natural dyes such as catechu, indigo, turmeric, natural lakh, henna, marigold flower, and other such dyes in the coloring process. Alum, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, and other mordents are also used which is the result of vibrant colors dominated by the patterns of bright red, dark green, and yellow.

• Motifs: All the community has its own role in bringing the different motifs of the Patola Sarees. Be it the Jains, Hindus as well as Muslims, every community have played a major role. Jains prefer abstract designs and geometric patterns but Muslims prefer the Vohra Gaji Bhaat. Gujarati Hindu women have a preference for the elephant, flowers, parrots, paan other such designs.

• Time consumption: Patola sarees take a lot of time to be made. These sarees are created with great precision, exactness as well as perfection by the artisans of the western region. Depending on the complexity of the design and length, a Patola sarees takes about 4-6 months to complete. If the design is quite hard and if the length is more, then it may need more skills and time to produce it.

• Techniques: The Patola saree is one of the finest hand-woven sarees produced today. These sarees are crafted beautifully with the help of the resist-dying technique. There are two kinds of Patola sarees including Rajkot Patola (this is only vertically-resist dyed-single ikkat) and Patan Patola (this is horizontally-resist dyed-double ikkat).

The difference between single ikkat and double ikkat patola

Ikkat is a kind of textile that is produced in modern-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is one of the common names for the year, technique, and also fabric that is used. It is a technique that involves resisting dyeing. Bundles of yarn, which are tightly wrapped together and later dyed with the natural color to create the desired pattern, bring a unique look to the saree. This dyeing process is different as the yarns are dyed before being woven into cloth. In most of the other resist-dyeing such as batik print, it is the final cloth that is dyed, not the yarn.

Once the yarns are dyed and dried as per the weaver’s lines they are up on the loom to form an interesting pattern. The design takes form as the yarn is woven into a beautiful cloth piece. This is a unique but very complicated process as the weavers have to dye the threads easily and place them correctly so it forms a unique pattern when woven. It is difficult to replicate a pattern because in order to do so, the weaver needs to dye the thread in exactly the same place, line it up on the loom in exactly the same place as well as weave it exactly the same way.

Though the single ikkat is also a complicated process but the most complicated type of weaving is the double ikkat, where both the warp and the weft threads are resist-dyed prior to weaving. In single ikkat, it is the weft threads that are resist-dyed. The pattern will be formed only as the weaving processes. This means that the weavers need to constantly center as well as readjust the years to make sure the pattern is formed properly.

How to Identify a Patola Saree

Apart from the bright color and design patterns, there are a few things that you should keep in mind to understand how to choose a Patola saree:

• The mark of a genuine Patola is that even after heavy wear and tear, the color never fades away. This makes this saree an ideal heirloom material. The colors are said to last up to 300 years.

• The Patola sarees are only made of silk as the weavers contemplate cotton waste for such an exquisite handloom.

• The price is another key factor that you should keep in mind when buying a handloom Patola saree.

How to Style Your Patola Saree?

Any kind of Patola saree demands a similarly superior set of accessories. Traditionally such sarees were accessorized by Indian jewelry sets that were composed of necklaces, earrings, bangles as well as anklets but the new trend is to adorn the saree with Western-styled jewelry such as studs or hoops. Gold jewelry or even heavy silver jewelry is a perfect match with these sarees. These march well with the luxurious sheen of the saree and really bring out the beauty of the designs. For a slightly more contemporary effect, you can tone down your look by going for simple pendants or large dangling earrings. To go all glamorous, you can team the saree with a large chunky gold necklace with intricate Indian motifs.

From Where to Buy Your Sarees?

There are few companies that are consistently working on drawing attention to the hard work of each weaver as well as artisans included in the process of weaving. When it comes to Patola sarees, you can find a wide range of patola saree which will win over your heart and soul. The intricacy, as well as the detailing of each saree, are what make you easily appreciate the craft even more. explore the different options available in the patola sarees from the Gujarat collection as well as the Banarasi Patola Saree collection and get your hands on authentic Patolas which are created by talented artisans. The Banarasi patola is a next-level luxury that is defined tortuously. Janardhana Silk House offers perfect quality and design in a single place. As a hail from Gujarat, the royal Patola sarees are available right at the center of the website. you can choose your favorite saree, add it to the cart, place an order and get it delivered to your doorstep.

At Janardhana Silk House, you will find Patola sarees in an amazing variety. You will be amazed to look at the most intricate designs. From flowers, animals, human figures, and birds to elephants, you can find interesting sarees adorned with different motifs. Also, purely geometric designs, Islamic architectural embellishments, and much more are available to look most beautiful at any event. As these sarees are available online, you can choose the sarees from the comfort of your home. You can zoom the prints and check out the designs and colors. As most of the Patola sarees are meant for wedding functions, you can find something which is heavy and glamorous. From simple to intricate patterns, you can find a variety of designs that will suit your taste. Just know your style and the perfect occasion to flaunt your treasured beauty.

Before you proceed with Janardhana Silk House online store, you should be aware of the many benefits of shopping at this place. You can browse through their collection seamlessly. They have a wide range of Indian silk sarees other than the Patola. You can get exclusive discounts on some of the beautiful creations. You also get free shipping to any corner of the world. This website is the best place to buy Indian wear, be it a saree, or dress. They offer a wide range of traditional Indian clothing and their extensive collection of Patola silks will mesmerize you. They specialize in providing high-quality silk fabric at a reasonable price.