"GPO" stands for Guipure / Chemical / Water Soluble / Schiffli, representing a
category of lace fabrics known for their exquisite and intricate patterns. GPO
Lace, also known as Chemical Lace, is a beautifully intricate fabric crafted using
the Schiffli embroidery technique. Made from a variety of yarns including
synthetic fibers, cotton, polyester, and blends, GPO lace is renowned for its
delicate, web-like patterns and elegant texture.
This lace is created by embroidering designs over a base of non-woven
geotextile paper. The fabric is then treated through a chemical immersion
process, typically involving water, which dissolves the base paper and leaves
behind the stunning lace pattern. This unique manufacturing method results in
lightweight yet ornate fabric ideal for a wide range of applications.
Originally seen only on high-end designer and celebrity gowns, GPO lace has
now become both accessible and affordable, offering luxurious style for a
variety of uses. It is highly versatile and dyeable, making it a favorite in the
fashion and interior design industries.
Key Features:
• Material Composition: Cotton, polyester, synthetic blends, and more
• Creation Process: Schiffli embroidery on geotextile base, chemically
dissolved to reveal lace design
• Design Aesthetic: Intricate, web-like patterns with a rich and elegant
appearance
• Color & Customization: Available in various colors and dyeable for
customization
• Applications:
o Western wedding gowns
o Indian ethnic wear
o Evening dresses and tops
o T-shirts, shirts, and designer apparel
o Curtains and home décor items
Dry Lace, also known as African Dry Lace, is a high-quality, breathable, and
durable fabric celebrated for its rich texture and timeless appeal. Woven from
cotton, silk, or rayon, this lace features exquisite embroidery patterns that
enhance its beauty and lend a luxurious, elegant look to any garment.
What sets Dry Lace apart is its distinct open-weave structure, with visible
spaces between the threads, creating a delicate, mesh-like texture. This not
only makes the fabric breathable and comfortable but also gives it a refined and graceful finish.
Crafted either by machine or intricate handwork, Dry Lace is made using
looping, braiding, or twisting techniques—resulting in beautifully patterned
designs that are both traditional and stylish. Its unique craftsmanship has made
it a staple in African fashion and a global trendsetter in the textile industry.
Why Dry Lace?
• Fabric Quality: Breathable, strong, and soft to the touch
• Design Versatility: Elegant patterns that suit both every day and occasion
wear
• Global Popularity: Widely used in Africa and increasingly popular among
fashion-forward audiences and celebrities worldwide
• Wide Applications: Perfect for
o Women's garments (kaftans, blouses, dresses, skirts, suits)
o Children’s clothing
o Accessories like bags and shoes
o Home textiles
Schiffli All Over Fabric is known for its exquisite, continuous embroidery
pattern that stretches from selvage to selvage, covering the entire width and
length of the fabric. This technique involves
stitching a uniform design across
the full surface
, creating a seamless flow that adds elegance and sophistication
to any garment or décor piece.
While the main design remains consistent across the fabric, it's not uncommon
to find distinct patterns or accents at the very beginning or end of the fabric
roll—adding a unique touch for designers to work with.
Created using the intricate Schiffli embroidery technique, this fabric beautifully
blends craftsmanship with creativity. The result is a soft, breathable, and
luxurious textile that enhances the look and feel of anything it adorns.
Popular Uses:
• Modern Salwar Kameez – Adds a stylish, embroidered flair to traditional
wear
• Lingerie & Intimates – Offers a delicate, graceful finish
• Garments –Perfect for dresses, frocks, tops, and more
• Home Décor – Used for frills on cushion covers, curtains, and linens
With its intricate detail and full-coverage design, Schiffli All Over Fabric is a
versatile choice loved by fashion designers, home decorators, and textile
enthusiasts worldwide.
Schiffli Net Fabric is a stunning blend of lightness and luxury, created through
fine embroidery on a net base. This intricate needle lace is made by darning
onto a knotted net ground, enhanced with beautiful patterns and vibrant colors
that lend a soft, elegant charm to any piece.
What makes Schiffli net fabric truly unique is its creation process.
A water-soluble base fabric is layered over the net, and embroidery is skillfully stitched
on top. Once the embroidery is complete, the soluble layer is carefully
dissolved, leaving behind a
delicate, lace-like design seamlessly embedded
into the net.
The result is a graceful fabric that feels airy yet looks intricate.
Why Choose Schiffli Net Fabric?
• Lightweight & Breathable: Ideal for summer wear and delicate
ensembles
• Elegant Finish : Perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to any
garment
• Versatile Usage:
Perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to any garment
o Bridal wear and evening gowns
o Sarees, lehengas, and salwar suits
o Veils, dupattas, and scarves
o Decorative home textiles like sheer curtains
Schiffli Borer is a unique and elegant embroidery technique that incorporates
precision-punched holes into fabric, creating a light, airy texture that's both
functional and decorative. These holes, known as borer holes, are typically
reinforced with stitching around their edges, adding definition, durability, and
charm to the design.
The signature borer effect is achieved using a special attachment on the Schiffli
embroidery machine, known as the borer tool. This steel tool punctures the
fabric as required, forming perfectly placed holes during the embroidery
process. The area around each hole is then embroidered to enhance the look
and secure the structure—offering a beautiful balance of texture,
breathability, and sophistication.
Technical Details:
• Borer Tools: Made of high-grade steel with 10–15% grinding
o 13% grind – Most commonly used
o 12% grind – For finer, delicate holes
o 15% grind – For larger, bold designs
• Stitching: Edges of each hole are reinforced with embroidery for a clean,
secure finish
Why People Love Schiffli Borer Fabric:
• Airy & Breezy Feel: Ideal for warm weather and breathable garments
• Elegant Texture: Adds depth and detail to plain fabric
• Wide Use Cases:
o Fashion garments like dresses, tops, skirts, and ethnic wear
o Curtains, linens, and home décor
o Accessories and craft applications
Schiffli borer embroidery has captivated hearts with its graceful perforations
and lightweight appeal. It offers a timeless look with a fresh feel—perfect for
designers who want to infuse sophistication with comfort.
Schiffli with Sequins is a captivating blend of intricate embroidery and
shimmering embellishment, designed to add elegance, richness, and a hint of
glamour to any fabric. This combination is widely used in crafting ethnic men's
wear, including embroidered kurtas, cotton Schiffli kurtas, and other
decorative textiles.
What makes this fabric truly special is the use of sequins—tiny, reflective
elements that are sewn onto the fabric during the embroidery process. A
specialized attachment is added to the Schiffli embroidery machine, which
precisely stitches sequins onto the fabric using fine thread. The result is a
seamless integration of embroidery and sparkle, enhancing the visual appeal of
the final product.
Key Highlights:
• Versatile Use: Ideal for
o Ethnic menswear like ,kurtas and sherwanis
o Decorative fabric panels
o Home décor and fashion accessories
• Custom Sequins: Available in various types (metallic or plastic) and sizes
based on customer requirements
• Enhanced Fabric Value: Adds a luxurious finish and eye-catching detail
These shimmering sequins elevate the charm of Schiffli embroidery, making it
perfect for festive occasions, weddings, and high-end fashion collections.
Whether it's a subtle sheen or a bold glittering look, sequins add just the right
amount of flair
Schiffli embroidery is a sophisticated machine embroidery technique used to
create detailed patterns on various base fabrics. Originating from Switzerland,
Schiffli embroidery has evolved over time and is now widely used in both
traditional and contemporary textiles. The designs vary greatly based on
technique, motif, and application. Below are the main types of Schiffli
embroidery fabric designs:
1. Abstract Embroidery Fabric
These designs focus on freeform, non-representational shapes and motifs. They
are modern and artistic, often featuring swirls, waves, or asymmetrical
elements. Abstract Schiffli embroidery is ideal for high-fashion garments, fusion
wear, and statement pieces that require a unique, creative flair.
2. Printed Embroidery Fabric
This design style combines digital or screen printing with Schiffli embroidery
overlays. The print sets the theme or background, while the embroidery adds
texture and depth. This fusion enhances visual richness and is often used in
designer kurtis, gowns, and dupattas.
3. Floral Embroidery Fabric
A classic and evergreen category, floral Schiffli fabrics feature motifs like roses,
daisies, vines, and leaves. They are feminine, elegant, and versatile—commonly
used in sarees, dresses, and bridal wear. These can be dense (all-over florals) or
spaced with delicate butti-style placement.
4. Applique Embroidery Fabric
This involves stitching fabric pieces onto the base material along with
embroidery to create raised, multi-textured patterns. Schiffli applique designs
add depth and contrast, often used in designer wear, kids’ fashion, and festive
attire.
5. Geometrical Embroidery Fabric
Characterized by clean lines, grids, zig-zags, chevrons, and diamond shapes,
geometrical designs offer a modern, structured look. They are popular in both
casual and formal wear and suit minimalistic fashion aesthetics.
6. Border and All-Over Embroidery Fabric
• Border embroidery features heavy, decorative work along the edges of
the fabric, ideal for sarees, dupattas, and suit hems.
• All-over embroidery covers the entire surface with consistent motifs,
creating a lace-like or richly textured effect. This is suitable for lehengas,
gowns, and table linens.
7. Dyed Embroidery Fabric
In this type, the fabric is dyed after or before the embroidery process. It can be
solid-colored or ombré-dyed. Dyeing enhances the base color contrast against
the embroidered threads and is used to create vibrant ethnic and festive looks.
8. Guipure Lace and Fabric (GPO)
Guipure, also known as GPO (Guipure Lace Organza), is a heavy Schiffli lace
where motifs are connected with bars or plaits rather than net. It’s bold,
elegant, and used in high-end gowns, cocktail dresses, and bridal wear. Guipure
adds a vintage European charm to garments.
9. Dry Lace Fabric
Dry lace refers to a type of Schiffli lace made from thicker threads and is often
used without a net backing. It has a firmer, textured feel compared to delicate
lace and is preferred in African fashion, blouses, and home textiles.
10. Hosiery Fabric
Hosiery Schiffli fabric involves embroidery on stretchable base fabrics like
cotton or spandex blends. This type is used in comfortable ethnic wear like
kurtis, tunics, and children's wear, where both flexibility and design matter.
11. Net and Schiffli Lace
These fabrics feature embroidery on net bases, resulting in delicate and
transparent materials perfect for veils, overlays, and sleeves. Schiffli lace on net
gives an ethereal, graceful look, making it a favorite for bridal and evening
wear.
Schiffli embroidery is a versatile and artistic technique that adapts beautifully
to various fabric types and styles. From traditional florals to bold geometrics
and modern abstracts, Schiffli fabrics can suit almost every design need—
whether for casual fashion, festive attire, or haute couture.
