Chikankari is a delicate and artfully done hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabric like muslin, silk, chiffon, organza, net etc. Though it originated as a court craft, today it is a practiced tradition and an important commercial activity. White thread is embroidered on cool, pastel shades of light muslin and cotton garments. Lucknow is the heart of the Chikankari industry today (Lucknawi chikan).

The design is decided upon on the chosen fabric. The stitches are decided according to the design to be used in the embroidery.

The pattern is then engraved on a wooden block or at times sketching it manually.

Once the block is ready then the printing is done on the fabric. Printing is carried out by the use of wooden blocks dipped in dyes like neel and safeda to make a pattern.

The printed fabric then reaches the craftsmen who get to work with the cloth stretched by a wooden frame or Karchop. They do the enriching embroidery using a variety of stitches.

After the embroidery, the fabric reaches the laundry and is thoroughly washed and given the finishing touches. This includes bleaching, acid treatment, stiffening or starching and ironing.

The art of chikankari, today is flourishing and enriches both the domestic and export market.