Spotting Fake Kashmiri Handicrafts Cheating, in one form or another, has accompanied mankind for ages. It pricks possibly only when you end up on the losing side. Since we boast of dealing in original Hand-embroidered items of the Kashmir Handicraft, we find it only fitting to provide all possible details about cheap duplicates and fake handicraft items, sold worldwide in online shops, retail stores and elsewhere in the name of genuine Kashmiri Handicraft. We will try to illustrate here differences between Hand-embroidered & Machine-embroidered items and how you can stay clear of cheats offering machine-embroidered look-alikes at seemingly attractive rates. Machine-embroidery in itself is not bad, but only when it is sold in the name of hand-embroidery with good intention to cheat or overcharge, the evil becomes evident.                     A second type of fakes are an imitation machine-woven shawls sold in the name of embroidered Jamavar shawls.

Hand Embroidery V/s Machine Embroidery Hand-embroidery done with a crochet is the one most commonly faked in International market. A machine-embroidered jacket costs around 20% of its hand-embroidered counterpart, but will sell comparatively higher because it was advertised as a Kashmiri Hand-embroidered Jacket. So if you know how to spot the differences between the two, you can save yourself from paying excessive amounts for machine-embroidered look-alikes. How to spot the differences: Test 1. A LOOK AT THE WRONG SIDE: This is helpful only for items which don't have a lining (as in Crewel Fabric, Shawls/ Throws, Saris/ Sarongs, Shalwar Kameez, Dresses and Kurtas/ Tunics). A first look at the wrong side will reveal clearly if the item is embroidered by hand or machine. Machine-stitch being continuous and employing multi-shaded thread for embroidery has a continuous stitch without many breaks. Hand-stitch on the other hand employs single-shade threads for embroidery and the craftsman from time to time breaks off the earlier thread (color) to start a new thread (color) leaving behind a trail of hanging threads on the wrong side of the fabric. Hand embroidery leaves a multitude of hanging threads on the wrong side. Machine embroidery being a continuous stitch hardly leaves any hanging threads. Test 2. A LOOK AT THE FACE OF IT: This test will require some good experience regarding familiarity with machine and hand stitches. Hand embroidery is tidy with  great variety of colors. Notice the ascending shoot (brown color) with its curves imparted by skilled hands. Machine embroidery overlaps and uses a limited number of colors. The shoot (brown color) here is more of straight line type and overlapping onto the leaves (green color).