Sirumugai Sarees: The Complete Guide, by a Sirumugai Weaving Family
If you search for Sirumugai sarees, you will find a lot of pages that describe the town from the outside. This guide is written from the inside. We are Abi Silks, a weaving family in Sirumugai, near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, and we have been part of this craft since 1977. Here is what makes a Sirumugai handloom saree what it is, and how to choose and care for one.
Where is Sirumugai?
Sirumugai is a small town in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, close to Mettupalayam, at the foot of the Nilgiri hills. For generations it has been known for handloom weaving, and its sarees are sold across India. The town is known for lightweight handloom sarees in cotton, soft silk and blends, woven in homes and small workshops by families who have done this work for years.
What makes a Sirumugai saree special?
- It is woven, not printed. The borders, buttas and zari motifs are built into the cloth as it is woven, so they do not fade or wash off.
- It is light. Sirumugai weavers are known for light, soft drapes that are easy to wear for a whole day, which is why these sarees suit Indian weather so well.
- Every piece is slightly different. Because it is made by hand, small differences in the weave are natural, and a design is often woven in small numbers.
- The skill is passed down. Weaving here is a family craft, learned at home and refined over decades.
A town of award-winning weavers
Sirumugai's weavers have been recognised at the national level. In 2012, two Sirumugai weavers, V. Gunasekaran and N. Tyagarajan, travelled to Delhi to receive the National Award for handloom weaving. The story was covered by The Hindu ("Winning designs", 31 October 2012) and The Times of India ("Sirumugai celebrates national award to two of its weavers", 5 November 2012).
V. Gunasekaran is the founder of Abi Silks. He has given more than five decades to handloom weaving, and his approach is the one we still follow: honour the craft, and keep the designs fresh. You can read more on our Our Story page.
Cotton, soft silk or blends: which one is for you?
Cotton handloom sarees are the everyday choice: breathable, easy to wash and comfortable in the heat. They can still carry woven borders and motifs. Browse our cotton sarees.
Soft silk and silk blends are lighter and easier to wear than heavy silks, with a soft fall and a gentle shine, a good choice for festivals and family functions. See our fancy and daily sarees and Luxe collection. If you want pure silk, visit our silk store Silkromance.com.
How a handloom saree is made
A handloom saree goes from yarn to cloth in several careful steps: choosing the yarn, dyeing, warping, setting up the loom, weaving, finishing and a hand check. The weaver works the loom by hand and foot, and the borders and motifs grow as the saree is woven.
We explain each step, with pictures, on our page How handloom sarees are made.
How to choose a handloom saree
- Look at the weave. It should feel even, with no loose or uneven patches.
- Check the border. The lines of the border should be straight and clean, and match on both edges.
- Look at the pallu. This is where the richest design is usually woven in.
- Think about the fabric. Cotton for daily wear, soft silk or blends for celebrations.
- Read the colour note. Colours can look a little different on every screen. See our colour note, or ask us on WhatsApp for a closer look.
How to care for a Sirumugai saree
- Wash gently by hand in cold water with a mild detergent, and do not wring it hard.
- Dry in the shade, not in direct sun, so the colours stay bright.
- Iron on a low setting and store folded in a clean cotton cloth.
- For a saree with rich zari, dry cleaning is safer.
More tips in our saree care guide.
Buy handloom sarees from Sirumugai, directly from the family
At My Tassels by Abi Silks we bring that same weaving heritage to everyday prices: cotton sarees, fancy and daily sarees, kurtis and sets and accessories. Every saree and kurti is checked by hand before it is packed, we ship across India with tracking (free above Rs 3,000), and if something reaches you damaged we exchange it. Visit us at Abi Silks, No.9 Annapoorani Palanisamy Nagar, Thenthirupathi Road, Alangombu, Sirumugai, Tamil Nadu 641302, or WhatsApp us on +91 97500 32632.
