Before and After: Stunning Plain Ilkal Saree Makeover with Screen Printing
How This Plain Saree Was Transformed
This saree design was a custom order from a client who wanted to transform a beautiful Ilkal saree into a designer piece.I truly appreciate clients who trust my work and give me the time needed to create something unique.
 The ilakal saree before transformation |
| Before |
Embroidery or Screen Printing?
This saree is an Ilkal saree, and traditionally, it looks absolutely magnificent with Kasuti embroidery. The intricate patterns and heritage feel of Kasuti work can elevate the saree to a completely different level.
However, Kasuti embroidery is a time-intensive process and requires a lot of patience. Since this was a makeover project with time constraints, I decided to go with screen printing instead.
Screen printing is much faster compared to embroidery and offers a wide variety of design options. It allowed me to create a neat, repeatable pattern while still giving the saree a fresh and elegant designer look.
Selection of Design
Choosing the right design for this saree was the most challenging part of the makeover.
When I first saw the saree, I had already decided to use red and gold tones, as they beautifully complement the traditional look of an Ilkal saree. However, selecting the right motif required careful thought.
A floral design would have been the easiest option, but it would have made the saree look very common and might have reduced its elegance. I wanted the design to enhance the saree, not overpower its traditional beauty.
It took me almost an hour to finalize the design, ensuring it balanced both simplicity and richness.
Finally, I chose a dancing lady motif—one of my favorite designs—which added a unique character to the saree while still maintaining its elegance.
Screen Printing Execution
I printed the dancing lady motif in gold along the border, which added a rich and elegant look to the saree. In between these motifs, I introduced a red floral creeper design to create contrast and continuity.
Dancing doll motif
Once the border was completed, I felt that the pallu looked a bit too simple in comparison. To balance the overall design, I added floral motifs in red and gold on the pallu, giving it a more complete and visually appealing finish.
The final look
Now you can compare the plain saree with the creen printed one:
The before and after picture of the saree
This combination of gold and red brought out a perfect blend of tradition and vibrancy, enhancing the beauty of the Ilkal saree. Draped on maniquin
The saree
Challenges in Designing a Traditional Saree
One important lesson I learned from this project is that while redesigning traditional sarees like Ilkal, Kanchi, or Ikkat, it is essential to respect their originality.
These sarees carry a rich heritage, and the goal of any makeover should be to enhance their beauty—not to overpower or damage their traditional essence.
Choosing the right motifs and colors plays a crucial role. When done thoughtfully, even simple design elements can transform the saree while still keeping its originality intact.
In traditional design, the real skill lies not in adding more, but in preserving what already makes it beautiful.
