Karhuwa Cutwork Beige and White Semi-Sheer Curtain

Woven in Banaras, Uttar Pradesh, using the Karhuwa technique, a version of the highly labor-intensive cutwork weave for which Banaras is historically known. After the fabric is woven, the extra floating threads on the reverse that are not engaged in the design are clipped by hand, one by one, creating the cutwork through which light passes. The beige and white palette is undyed cotton meeting natural ground.

The Karhuwa weave tradition in Banaras, Uttar Pradesh, requires a weaver to work with intentional excess, threads floated on the reverse of the loom that will ultimately be cut away. Each cut is made by hand after the weaving is complete, leaving behind an open handmade lacework that gives this curtain its semi-sheer character. The beige and white tones are not printed: they come from the cotton itself, natural and unbleached, the way the fiber comes off the spool.

Hung at a window, the cutwork creates small pools of direct light that shift across the floor as the sun moves. The curtain weighs almost nothing. Roll it and it fits in a carry-on. This is what artisanal Banaras weaving looks like when it is not trying to be grand.

Karhuwa Weave · Cutwork · Handcrafted · Banaras · Pure Cotton

Care Instructions

• Machine wash cold or hand wash in cold water.
• Wash separately for first two washes to prevent colour transfer.
• Do not bleach. Line dry in shade, avoid direct sunlight while drying.
• Iron on medium while slightly damp for best results.
• Avoid tumble drying on high heat.