Indian Whitework Embroidery (Chikankari) Masterclass | 20, 21 November 2025
£250.00
In this class, you will learn the foundational stitches of Chikankari embroidery and how to create your own simple design on fine, semi-translucent fabric. I will provide a brief historical overview enriched with slides of both historical and contemporary Chikankari pieces. By the end of the class, you’ll be equipped with essential techniques to continue exploring and practicing this beautiful, meditative form of embroidery.
Description +
Indian Whitework (Chikankari Embroidery) with Ekta Kaul
Venue: Live Online Masterclass via Zoom
Dates: 20,21 November, 2025
Time: 4 pm – 6.30 pm GMT (London, UK) | 11 am – 1.30 pm ET (New York) | 8 am – 10.30 am PST (California)
Fee: £250 includes 5 hours of live instruction, a curated material kit, design template and recording for 4 weeks.
Recording: Available for 4 weeks after the course
CHIKANKARI EMBROIDERY
Chikankari is an intricate, traditional form of white-on-white embroidery from India, celebrated for its subtle elegance and delicate shadow work. Unlike the vibrant colors typically associated with Indian embroidery, Chikankari stands out with its refined white-on-white patterns, stitched on soft, lightweight, semi-translucent fabrics like fine muslins, cottons, and mulmul—a material similar to voile in weight but much softer. Once patronized by Indian nobility and aristocracy, Chikankari has evolved into a celebrated craft that continues to flourish in contemporary India. Its timeless elegance and delicate artistry have captivated fabric lovers not only across India but also around the world, making it a cherished and widely admired form of hand embroidery. Though its exact origins are uncertain, with some attributing it to East Bengal, Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, North India, is now recognized as the primary hub for this exquisite art form.
What You’ll Learn:
In this class, you will learn the foundational stitches of Indian whitework embroidery (Chikankari) and how to create your own simple design on fine, semi-translucent fabric. Alongside the actual technique, you will also learn the history brief through an illustrated overview enriched with slides of both historical and contemporary Chikankari pieces. By the end of the class, you’ll be equipped with essential techniques to continue exploring and practicing this beautiful, meditative form of embroidery.
Suitable for both beginners and those wishing to deepen their creative skills, with every stitch and process demonstrated by me.
MATERIAL KIT INCLUDES
- Fabric : Fine, semi-translucent, even weave cotton cotton as base fabric. Size 12”x12”
- Thread : White cotton floss, white no 8 perle
- Needles: Embroidery needles with a sharp point and an eye large enough to accommodate your thread.
- Design Template : A pdf template of design will be sent via email prior to the class.
About Me, your creative guide
I’m Ekta Kaul, an artist who finds joy in exploring themes of place, history, and belonging through the art of narrative embroidery and abstract painting. Over the past 18 years, I’ve honed my craft as a working artist, with my map quilts acquired for the permanent collections of esteemed institutions like the Museum of London and the Crafts Council. My book, Kantha, published by Bloomsbury UK, celebrates the rich traditions of this art form. Alongside my work as an artist, I regularly collaborate with world-class institutions, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, to share my passion for stitch with students from around the world. I’m thrilled to bring that experience to this masterclass and can’t wait to guide you in creating your own meaningful map quilt.
Photo credits: Phot0s 1, 2 and 3 V&A Archives, Photos 1 and 2 Ekta Kaul,
Additional Information
| Weight | 0.1 kg |
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