Tatting Lace and Mirror Work on Kurti – Beautiful Handmade Dress Design

Giving a New Look to a Simple Floral Kurti:

I have always loved combining two or three different art forms to create something unique. Whether it is embroidery with fabric painting or tatting with embroidery, I enjoy experimenting with different techniques in my dress designs.

Tatting and embroidery is one of my favourite combinations. I have already used these two techniques together to design a saree and several dresses. Each time, I try to create something different by changing the patterns, colours and placement of the designs.

This kurti is one such creation, where I have combined delicate tatting lace with embroidery to give a simple dress a beautiful handmade touch.

The kurti designed

This is the front and back of the dress designed.

A Lovely Contrast of Dusty Rose and Turquoise Blue:

I fell in love with this fabric the moment I saw it. One day, I had gone to the market with my sister-in-law to buy some fabrics. While looking around the shops, this particular fabric caught my eye. The moment I saw it, so many ideas started running through my mind. I could already imagine different ways of designing a dress with it. Without thinking much, I immediately bought the fabric.

The colour of the fabric is somewhere between light terracotta and dusty rose, with beautiful self-embroidery all over it. The floral embroidery gives the fabric a lovely texture. I felt that turquoise blue would be the perfect contrast for this shade. And that is how the idea of decorating this dress with turquoise tatting lace and embroidery began.

Tatting lace

Creating an Elegant Neckline with Tatting Lace:

The tatting lace pattern I chose for this dress is a beautiful vintage design I found on the internet. I had some turquoise thread left over from a doily I had made earlier, and I thought this would be a lovely way to use it.

The pattern is quite elegant, with delicate details that give it a charming vintage look. I made the tatting lace motifs and carefully attached them around the neckline of the kurti.

Since the fabric already has floral embroidery, I wanted to introduce a different shape to create an interesting contrast. So, I chose square tatting motifs for the neckline. I loved how the geometric pattern of the tatting lace complemented the soft floral designs on the fabric. The turquoise colour made the neckline stand out beautifully against the light terracotta background.

Adding Tiny Mirrors to the Floral Designs:

Tatting lace on the neck

To add more beauty to the dress, I decided to decorate the existing floral designs with mirror work and embroidery. I attached small mirrors at the centre of the flowers and worked bullion stitches around them to create a delicate rose-like effect.

I repeated this embroidery on the floral motifs all over the dress. The tiny mirrors add a little sparkle, while the bullion stitches give the flowers a lovely textured appearance. Though these are small details, they make a beautiful difference to the overall look of the dress.

I especially loved how the turquoise embroidery complemented the tatting lace on the neckline, bringing both techniques together beautifully.

Love, Laugh and Live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana