Surajmal Shobhachand supplies mirror-work kurtas, dresses, jackets and children's kurtas from India. We also supply decorated fabric on its own, by the metre.
Mirror work, also called shisha, uses embroidery to hold mirrors on cloth.
Mirror-work garments we supply
Have a style in mind? Send a reference garment and the quantity, and we quote it with mirror work.
Request a similar style→How the mirrors are held
Herringbone, chain and satin stitches are used to anchor mirrors. Specify the attachment with a close reference for the sample.
Quote a garment with this attachment
Send a garment reference or tech pack and quantity, with the motif close-up, ground cloth and mirror dimensions. Name the attachment stitch, or include a close-up of your own.
Choosing the ground cloth
Use a catalogue construction as a cloth reference in the brief. Specify the motif and attachment alongside it.
Enquire about mirror-work fabric
Name a catalogue construction or send a fabric reference, with the weight and metres required. Include the mirror-work motif and attachment reference.
Specifying mirror work on a tech pack
- Garment or fabric
- Name the garment, or specify fabric with its finished width.
- Ground construction and GSM
- State the composition, construction and weight, with a catalogue quality or cloth reference.
- Mirror material, size and shape
- Give the component material and dimensions for each mirror shape.
- Mirror count per motif
- Mark the number of mirrors on the artwork.
- Attachment reference
- Include a close-up showing the stitches that hold each mirror.
- Finished motif size and placement
- Give the motif width and height. Mark its position with measurements on the garment drawing, or give the fabric repeat dimensions.
- Thread colours
- Include a reference for each embroidery thread colour.
- Care and tests
- State the intended care instructions and the tests required.
- Wearer and age group
- Give the wearer and age group, including whether the style is for children.
- Quantities per colourway
- Give garment quantities by size, or the metres required for fabric.
Not sure of every line? Tell us what you are planning, and we will advise on what works best.
Send this as a brief→Mirror work on childrenswear
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission advises checking that children's clothing has no buttons, snaps or decorations that could easily detach and become a choking hazard. On a kidswear order, how each mirror is held is agreed on the sample and checked in bulk.
Tests for mirror-work garments
| Test | Method | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Washing and drying[1] | ISO 6330 | A complete wash-and-dry test, with each washing procedure representing one domestic wash. |
| Colourfastness to washing[2] | ISO 105-C06 | Colour loss and staining from a single (S) test, approximating one domestic or commercial laundering. |
| Colourfastness to rubbing[3] | ISO 105-X12 | Colourfastness under rubbing with separate dry and wet cloths. |
Common questions about mirror work
Do you make mirror-work kurtis for brands?
Yes. We make them to your design and label. See private label for the garment programme.
Can I buy mirror-work fabric on its own?
Yes. Give the finished width and metres required for a fabric enquiry.
Can we specify glass or plastic mirrors?
Yes. Glass mirrors are used, and shiny plastic pieces such as sequins are alternatives. Name the material on the component line of the brief.
How should I choose the fabric for mirror work?
Start with the cloth reference for the garment. Put its construction and GSM in the brief with the mirror dimensions and attachment reference. See cotton and twill for fabric specifications.
What should I send for a mirror-work V-neck kurti?
Send the neckline reference, the finished motif size and placement measurements from the neck edge. Mark these on the garment drawing.
Is mirror work the same as shadow work?
No. Shadow work is embroidery on the back of sheer or semi-sheer cloth. It is used in chikankari.
A question this does not answer? Ask us directly and we reply within 24 hours.
Planning a mirror-work range?
Send the range plan with a garment reference or tech pack and quantity for each style to quote the collection. We reply within 24 hours.
Discuss your requirement→