Resham, dabka, cutdana, sitara and moti: a glossary of hand embellishment

The words we use at the embroidery frame, explained simply: what resham, dabka, cutdana, sitara and moti are, and how they look on a finished piece.

24 Oct 2026 · 2 min read · By Anaa Khan

Walk through our studio and you will hear the same handful of words again and again. They are the names of the techniques and materials we use to embellish a piece by hand. Here is a plain-language guide, so you know exactly what you are looking at on your own outfit.

Resham

Resham is embroidery worked in silk thread. It is soft, fine and rich in colour, and it is what gives a motif its petals, leaves and shading. On many of our pieces it forms the base of a design that the metallic work then lifts.

Dabka

Dabka is a traditional technique that uses coiled metallic wire or thread, in gold or silver tones, laid onto the fabric. It gives outlines and borders a raised, sculpted look.

Cutdana

Cutdana are tiny cut beads, usually glass or metal, with small facets that catch the light. Worked in clusters or as fills, they add a sparkle that changes as you move.

Sitara

Sitara means star. These are small star-shaped or disc-shaped pieces, traditionally metallic, stitched on one by one to scatter points of light across a motif.

Moti

Moti means pearl. Pearls and pearl-like beads are used for accents, the centres of flowers and edges, adding softness against the sharper shine of metal.

A few more words you may see

On our product pages you may also notice nakshi, batki and mukash. These are finer metallic and beaded techniques, used for outlining, texture and shimmer. If you would like to know exactly where each one is used on a piece, just ask us.

Why it is all done by hand

Each motif is worked by hand before a garment ever takes shape. Combining these techniques is what gives our pieces their depth: silk thread for colour, metal for line, beads and pearls for light.