Hand Embroidered Saree with Traditional Kolam/Rangoli Design

 Introduction:

This saree is made from artificial soft silk fabric in a beautiful shade of red. I often choose this fabric for my embroidery and painting projects because it is easy to handle and work with. At the same time, the finished saree looks elegant and graceful. Another advantage of this fabric is that it is available in a wide range of attractive colours.

For this project, I embroidered the saree using stem stitch. The design is inspired by traditional Kolam, also known as Rangoli patterns. Kolams are decorative designs drawn at the entrance of homes, especially in South India. Creating Kolams is a daily tradition in many households and is considered a symbol of prosperity, positivity, and welcome.

I have adapted these beautiful geometric patterns into embroidery, bringing a traditional floor art form onto fabric. The central Kolam motif is surrounded by smaller motifs scattered across the saree, while the border is embellished with repeating Kolam-inspired designs. The combination of the vibrant red fabric and delicate embroidery gives the saree a traditional yet elegant appearance.

Kolam/Rangoli design

Though these Kolam designs are simple, they create a unique charm and visual appeal. Their beauty lies in their symmetry, elegance, and the way a few simple lines come together to form intricate patterns. I have always admired the grace of these traditional designs, and that inspired me to incorporate them into this saree.

The geometric motifs blend beautifully with embroidery, creating a design that is both traditional and timeless. It is fascinating how such simple patterns can transform a plain saree into something special. That is what motivated me to embroider this saree with Kolam-inspired motifs and celebrate a cherished South Indian art form through needle and thread.

The saree with Kolam design embroidered

Planning the Kolam/Rangoli  Design on the saree:

For the border, I chose a continuous Kolam-inspired pattern that runs along the edge of the saree. This repeating design creates a beautiful frame and enhances the traditional look of the saree. The border design is simple, yet it adds elegance and balance to the overall composition.

For the body of the saree, I used two different Kolam motifs. These motifs are embroidered repeatedly across the saree, creating a harmonious and well-balanced design. The larger central motif serves as the focal point, while the smaller motifs are scattered throughout the body, giving the saree a rich and decorative appearance without making it look overcrowded.

The combination of the continuous border pattern and the repeated Kolam motifs brings together the beauty of traditional Rangoli art and hand embroidery, transforming a plain red saree into a unique handcrafted creation.

The motifs on the saree

The flow of the border design is very nice, though it took lot of time for me to complete.

The pallu design :

Pallu design

The Pallu has one big kolam motif. Around that small motofs are scteered. This looks like the actual Kolam on the floor.

Here is the closer view of the big motif:

The big motif on the pallu, with small motifs , looks like temple floor. To add little shimmer to this I stuck some kundans.

Choice of thread and colors:

The hand embroidered saree

Traditionally, Kolam or Rangoli designs are drawn using white powder, creating beautiful patterns at the entrance of homes. To retain the authentic look of a traditional Kolam, I chose white silk thread for the border embroidery. The white thread stands out beautifully against the red fabric and closely resembles the appearance of a freshly drawn Kolam.

Since this is a large embroidery project, using silk thread was also an economical choice. It provides a lovely sheen, covers the design well, and helps keep the project affordable without compromising on the overall appearance.

For the pallu and some of the motifs, I used golden-yellow silk thread to create contrast and highlight the design. The combination of red, white, and gold is timeless and elegant. The vibrant red fabric, the crisp white Kolam-inspired border, and the rich golden motifs complement each other beautifully, giving the saree a traditional yet festive look.

For this I paired with white blouse stitched in Hakoba material, on the neck and on the sleeves laces are attached.

Pairing with white blouse

Creating this saree was my way of bringing a beautiful South Indian tradition onto fabric through embroidery. The simple yet graceful Kolam motifs, combined with the elegant red, white, and gold colour palette, have transformed an ordinary saree into a unique handcrafted piece.

Love, Laugh and Live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana