The Difference Between Hand Embroidery & Machine Work – What You’re Really Paying For

Not all embroidery is created equal—and if you’re wondering why one lehenga costs ₹10,000 and another ₹50,000, this is a good place to start.

✋ Hand Embroidery

• Crafted stitch-by-stitch by artisans
  
• Carries natural imperfections that make it beautifully unique
  
• Takes days or weeks to finish
  
• Adds depth, weight, and artistry to the garment
  
  

🧵 Machine Embroidery

• Fast and uniform
  
• Lacks depth or character
  
• Can sometimes look flat or repetitive
  
• Ideal for mass production, not couture
  
  

🔍 How to Tell the Difference:

• Flip the fabric: hand embroidery will look uneven at the back; machine work is too neat.
  
• Feel the texture: handwork feels richer and often heavier.
  
• Look for signature crafts: zardozi, aari, mirror work, resham detailing—true handwork always shows intention.
  
  

💡 Why It Matters: When you choose hand embroidery, you’re not just buying a product. You’re preserving a craft, supporting an artisan, and wearing something no one else has.