Handloom or powerloom: how to tell the difference
4 min read
What the words mean
A handloom saree is woven by a person operating a loom by hand and foot. A powerloom saree is woven on an electric machine. Powerloom is faster and cheaper; handloom takes days or weeks for one piece, which is the main reason for the price difference.
Look at the reverse
Turn the saree over. On handloom fabric the back of a woven motif usually shows small loose thread ends or slight unevenness, because each motif is worked individually. On powerloom fabric the reverse is very neat, often with long floating threads trimmed in straight lines.
Check the edges and texture
Handloom selvedges are slightly uneven, and you may see tiny pin holes along the edge where the cloth was stretched on the loom. The surface has small irregularities in thickness. Powerloom cloth is perfectly uniform from end to end.
Labels and price
In India, look for the Handloom Mark or the Silk Mark, and for a Geographical Indication tag on regional weaves. Be cautious when a saree described as pure handloom silk is priced like a printed synthetic. Ask the seller directly which loom it was woven on.
Which should you buy
Powerloom is not bad; it is a sensible choice for daily wear and tight budgets. Buy handloom when you want something that will last for years and you value the craft. Either way, pay for what the saree actually is, not for a label it has not earned.
More guides
- How to store and care for a silk sareeSimple habits that keep silk from fading, creasing and losing its zari shine.
- How to drape a saree: the nivi style, step by stepThe everyday drape most people wear, broken into six steps with the mistakes to avoid.
- Saree fabrics explained: cotton, georgette, chiffon, silk and organzaHow each fabric feels, drapes and behaves through a long day, and which occasion it suits.
- Choosing a blouse for your saree: neckline, sleeves and fitWhat to decide before you give the blouse piece to a tailor, and how to check the fit.
- How to choose a chaniya choli for garbaFabric, flare, weight and length: what makes a chaniya choli comfortable to dance in.
