I imagine most every group of tourists traveling to India is taken to a variety of shops chosen by their guide -- usually to the business of a 'friend' (code for guide getting a nice kickback). This shop in Jaipur offered high quality and beautiful fabrics, and was an interesting stop.
Our tour started with an explanation of some of the dying techniques used to develop patterns on the cloth. Basically, it is done the old-fashioned way, by hand with large stamps dipped into different colors of ink...
The process is repeated with different dyes to produce a more intricate and three dimensional pattern, as you can see below. The top photo was taken after two colors of ink had been applied and the bottom photo after a third color was added. Often multiple colors are employed. It's important that top quality material and dyes are used or the colors can wash out and stain other items in your laundry.
After this demonstration we were shown the large variety of merchandise available for sale, including tableclothes, bed spreads, sheets, robes, and some amazingly soft shawls made of pashmina. Lots to choose from, including some quilts....
I explored the shop and took a few photos. There's something about stacks of colorful folded textiles that appeals to the photographer in me...
I ended up leaving with just one purchase -- a nice bed-spread. Several in our group could barely manage their shopping bags full of merchandise.
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