#44 The town of Mhow is famous for its Shadow Work. In shadow work, actual embriodery is not seen. Only its shadow and the outline is seen on the other side.
Shadow Work is a type of embroidery which is done on semi-sheer or sheer fabric with the bulk of the embroidery on the back of the design so that the color of the thread or rather a shadow of the color shows through on the front of the fabric between two solid-colored outlines.

Layer of criss-crossing threads that shows through on the front of the fabric with just a hint of color between the backstitch outlines.

This shadow work saree is in soft cotton with orange, green and pink embroidery. I borrowed it from my bhabhi who is from Mhow, on my very recent trip to Pachmarhi for the family reunion. I requested her to get me one saree of shadow work so that I can wear it specially for the 100sareepact.

I have been wearing lot of salwar suits, sarees and using other items like napkins, table covers etc embroidered in this kind of work.

My family was pleasantly surprised to see me in this lovely saree in middle of the rainy hill station where everybody was in shorts and tees. I loved it and thanks to the pact for changing my monotonous and predictable dressing style. 🙂