Craft Glossary
Craft defines how each piece is made.
At Serai, we work with techniques that have been shaped over time and practiced by hand.
The process matters — it’s how we understand what we’re wearing and who made it. Each method is selected for its material, origin, and way of making.
Textile Construction
Handwoven
Fabric woven powered entirely by the weaver’s hands and feet on traditional looms, where the speed and tension are controlled by the maker. This method predates industrial weaving and remains central to many regional textile traditions.
Places of Origin
India · Bangladesh · Mexico · Ghana
Knit
Fabric created by interlocking loops of yarn, either by hand or machine. Known for its flexibility and ability to adapt to the body.
Places of Origin
Egypt · Syria · Tunisia
Crochet
Textile formed by looping yarn with a single hooked needle. Unlike knitting, each stitch is completed individually, allowing for more controlled shapes.
Places of Origin
Europe · Latin America · South Asia
Surface Design & Print
Block Print
A centuries-old printing method using hand-carved wooden blocks. Each layer of color is applied separately, requiring precision in alignment and repetition.
Places of Origin
China · India · Pakistan · Bangladesh
Screen Printing
A printing technique where ink is pushed through a mesh screen using a stencil. Each color is applied in separate layers for precision.
Places of Origin
China · Japan · United States
Natural Dye
Color extracted from plants, minerals, or insects and applied through dye baths. The outcome varies depending on the material, water, and process.
Places of Origin
India · Indonesia · Peru · Japan
Surface Embellishment
Embroidery
Thread stitched into fabric to create pattern and texture. Historically used to mark identity, occasion, and craftsmanship, with techniques varying widely by region.
Places of Origin
India · Pakistan · Bangladesh
Beading
Beads individually attached to fabric or structure using thread or wire. Often used to add weight, detail, and dimension to garments and accessories.
Places of Origin
India · Nigeria · Indonesia
Textile Composition
Appliqué
A technique where fabric pieces are cut and attached onto a base textile. Often used to build layered motifs or graphic compositions.
Places of Origin
India · Bangladesh · Central Asia
Patchwork
Textiles constructed by joining different fabric pieces together. Historically developed through the reuse of available materials.
Places of Origin
India · West Africa · United States
Material Transformation
Upcycling
Discarded or surplus materials transformed into new products. Unlike repair or reworking, the original material is reinterpreted into a different form.
Places of Origin
India · Ghana · United Kingdom
Accessories Craftsmanship
How non-textile pieces are made and finished.
Silver Work
Silver shaped, cast, and engraved by hand.
India · Mexico · North Africa
Gold Plated
Base metal coated with a thin layer of gold through electroplating.
Handcrafted Produced by hand in small-scale settings without industrial processes.