A cluster is defined as a geographic concentration(a city/town/few adjacent villages and their adjoining areas)of units producing near similar products and facing common opportunities and threats. An artisan cluster is defined as geographically concentrated(mostly in villages/townships)household units producing handicraft/handloom products.In a typical cluster,such producers often belong to a traditional community,producing the long-established products for generations.Indeed,many artisan clusters are centuries old Artisan.

About Block Suratgarh Cluster:-

Block Suratgarh Cluster falls under Rajasthan State in Sri Ganganagar district.

The Block Suratgarh cluster is able to form 202 plus Artisans & 15 SHGs supporting the strong work force.The mobilisation gains momentum day by day. Block Suratgarh Cluster is famous for Embroidery, Dolls and Toys.

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Embroidery:-

Jaisalmer is the trade centre for embroidery and mirror work items. Quilts are appliquéd with geometrically shaped pieces of dark colours. Camel and horse saddles are decked with embroidery and appliqué with a hook. Verities of colored threads are used on the shoes.

The pichwai of Nathdwara, is an cloth-hanging which is embroidered and used as a decoration in temples. Gold thread is used in some to highlight the design. Appliquéd pichwai has red cotton background and stitches are in cream, green, yellow, and black; white is used for the outlines.

The women in Rajasthan are well skilled at embroidery and design attractive motifs like of tree, birds and animals on their long skirts (ghaghras) Women at Bikaner embroider chunky red woolen shawls with a running stitch, in a bandhini pattern.

The term embroidery is basically defined as the method of ornamenting a piece of clothing with needlework;or embellishment with fanciful details.Thus embroidery is regarded as the art of decorating textiles using a needle and thread.Embroidery of Rajasthan has earned its fame because of the versatility of creations by the artisans.The artisans of Rajasthan use an array of stitches that are used to decorate the items.The most important centres of embroidery work of Rajasthan are located in the Jaipur regions and are admired for the creative excellence.The embroidery of Rajasthan is one of the main sources of income for different other communities.Today, even though embroidery is amongst the most traditional methods of decorating clothes,it is still as popular.Designs may date back to ancient times,or the modern geometric modern day designs,but all the same embroidery continues to be one of the common ways of decorating clothes.In fact,specialists feel that today,there is much more scope for creativity and innovation,because of the acceptance level.

This has ornamentation of tikris and beads,which make them,look attractive.This type of embroidery is done on a frame of wooden beams.The fabric is worked upon with a long needle,threads,tikris and beads.Multi sized frames are used,usually about 1.5 feet high,to secure the cloth on which the design is sketched with a stencil. One hand secures the thread under the cloth to the needle while the other hand moves the needle on top of the cloth with ease.Decorative tikris and beads are attached to the cloth with the needle.

Another embroidery pattern is the jaali or net embroidery in geometric or floral shapes and is done by pulling the warp and weft threads and fixing them with minute buttonhole stitches.The finished products dominantly comprise items for household use like curtains,bedspreads,furniture covers and dress material.

Raw Materials used:-

The fabric is worked upon with a long needle,threads,tikris and beads.Multi sized frames are used, usually about 1.5 feet high,to secure the cloth on which the design is sketched with a stencil. One hand secures the thread under the cloth to the needle while the other hand moves the needle on top of the cloth with ease.

Process:-

As embroidery is not so technical craft to follow procedure but then also small process like:

1. The motif is made on the tracing screen for symmetrical marking and uniformity,like the Khaka.
2. The motifs are marked on the fabric with a marking mixer(liquid) for embroidery work.
3. Now set the marked fabric very tight from all directions.(Saree,Dress materials,etc.)On Wooden frame(it can be done without frame also).
4. It will work easier to do embroidery with the help of frame to reduce tension and get pucker less product.
5. The desired motif is neatly embroidered with different stitches(Pakko,Kachho,Soof,Rabari,kharek etc)to  achieve desired motif.
6. The result can be many colors and is easy to make.

Set the fabric(Saree,Dress,material,etc.)on Wooden frame(it can be done without frame also) according to the design with desired allowance for the product.The motif is made the tracing screen for symmetrical making and uniformity,like the Khaka.The motif is marked with a marking mixer in a liquid form (Kerosene and gali powder) whether for embroidery the desired motif is neatly embroidery with different stitches to achieve desired motif.

Embroidery designs are prepared by fixing small round shaped mirrors to the material with the help of the buttonhole stitch,the outline being sketched by hand.Silken thread is used for the stitching done in stem or herringbone,closely worked.Flowers and creepers are patterned against a dark background.

Techniques:-

Techniques vary with the community and region.The term embroidery is basically defined as the method of ornamenting a piece of clothing with needlework; or embellishment with fanciful details. Thus embroidery is regarded as the art of decorating textiles using a needle and thread.This includes the hand and machine embroidery methods.And till date,hand embroidery continues to be an expensive and time-consuming method.However,in spite of this it is preferred because of the intricacy of the handiwork involved.

The basic techniques an embroiderer uses includes:-

1. Cross stitch
2. Crewel work
3. Quilting

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Dolls and Toys:-

A soft toy is a soft, furry, stuffed toy. They are made in the form of cute animal usually an animal and human.

Raw Materials Used :-

These are manufactured from different raw materials such as fur, felt, polyester fiber, artificial buttons, ribbons and threads to provide in them flawless finish standards.We also offer them in customized finishes as per client’s given specifications.

Process:-

Broaden the Templates:-

You can enlarge the templates by using printer but if it is not possible you can make a paper grid. And then draw the designs on the larger grid while having the pattern on your computer screen.

Prepare the Template:-

One can use Bristol broad to prepare a template.You can paste the paper template to the card and then cut it off.It is better to mark the template with colorful dots to make facial features. Cut out the eyes and other embroidery areas carefully.

Trace the Template onto your fabric:-

You can use tailors chalk, tracing paper or expensive pencils, markers, pencil and crayons for this purpose.Try to sew inside the template line so that the pencil mark is on the seam allowance.

To cut the Pattern pieces:-

You need to cut two of each pattern piece for each toy.Fold the fabric so that the wrong side of the fabric is opposite.Trace the pattern templates on the incorrect side of the fabric.Use a few straight pins to unite the two layers of fabric. Cut out 1/4 inch outside the tracing line.

Sewing:-

You should always sew with the right sides of the fabric facing each other.

Sewing by machine:-

Stitch to the inside of trace line. Stitch all through leaving the opening. Go for an automatic tie off stitch at the beginning and ending. Use a needle to increase the loop then pull the bottom thread end to the top.Tie the two pieces of thread to create a knot flush with the fabric.

Sewing by hand:-

Take a thread of about 3 feet (90cm) and then double your thread and tie a loop at the end.Sew the pieces together using a strong back stitch.Clip the seam allowance on the inside curves Clip close to the stitch line without cutting the seam line threads.

To Turn and to fill:-

You can use a knobbed end of a knitting needle or a pencil as filling stick and then smooth the ends.

Prior to stuffing:-

Mark the facial features and other embroidery marks using template.Press the seam allowance with an iron or by creasing it between your fingernails.

Filling:-

Pull off small pieces of stuffing and push them into the opening Fill the areas like feet, hands, ears.Stuff till you have the softness and fullness you want.Close the opening with a blind stitch.

Features for embroidering:-

You can use a satin stitch or basic back stitch for making eyes, nose mouth and eyebrows.

Techniques:-

1.Broaden the Templates

2.Trace the Template onto your fabric

3.To cut the Pattern pieces

4.Sewing

5.Sewing by machine

6.Sewing by hand

7.To Turn and to fill

8.Prior to stuffing

9.Filling

10.Features for embroidering

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How to reach:-

The nearest airport to Sri Ganganagar is Jodhpur (222 kms.). The district is connected through a well maintained network of roads and rails with important parts of the country. The National Highway-15 passes throughthe district connecting Kandala of Gujarat with Pathankot of Punjab. The Jammu-Tawai Express that runs between Kasmir and Kanyakumari touches Suratgarh station ofthe district.