Inspired by the green beaded and sequined choli in the movie Jodhaa Akbar, I’ve sewn a pink and gold beaded choli.

A choli is a cropped blouse worn by Indian women. Some cholis are long cholis which aren’t cropped, like mine. A choli is often laced at the back.

For my choli, I used pink cotton fabric, gold trim and gold thread, seed beads in pearl white, gold, opaque and transparent orange, and big and small golden sequins.

The top is sewn by machine; and the embroidery done by hand – except sewing the gold border round the neckline and sleeves, and stitching the ‘squares’ with golden thread.

The choli top is laced at the back.

I also made matching beaded tassels.

Here are pictures of another pink hand embroidered choli.