Unstitched Suit Guide: What's in the Set and What to Tell Your Tailor

An unstitched suit gives you something a ready-made set never can: a fit made for your body. But if you have never ordered one before, it can feel confusing. What comes in the pack? What should you tell the tailor? This guide covers it all.

What comes in an unstitched suit set

Most unstitched suits come as three or four pieces:

• Top (kurta) fabric — usually with the embroidery or print already done on the front panel and neckline.
• Bottom fabric — for salwar, pant or palazzo.
• Dupatta — ready to wear, often with a lace or zari border.
• Inner / lining (in 4-piece sets) — for sheer fabrics like Chanderi.

Always check the product page to see exactly which pieces are included. For example, our Mustard Yellow Chanderi 4-Piece Suit Set includes top, bottom, dupatta and inner.

Why choose unstitched over ready-made

• Exact fit: ideal if your measurements don't match one standard size, or you are above 3XL.
• Your choice of design: length, sleeve style, neck depth, bottom style — all your decision.
• Matching done for you: the embroidered fabric and dupatta already go together, so no running shop to shop.

What to tell your tailor

Take the suit and one kurta that fits you well. Then decide these five things before the tailor cuts:

1. Kurta length — knee length for daily wear, below-knee or calf length for festive.
2. Cut — straight, A-line or Anarkali (Anarkali needs more fabric, ask first).
3. Sleeves — full, three-quarter or elbow length.
4. Neckline — the embroidered neck panel usually decides this, so ask the tailor to keep the embroidery centred.
5. Bottom — straight pant, salwar or palazzo.

Tip: ask the tailor to keep 1–2 inches of extra margin in the side seams. That way the kurta can be loosened later if needed.

How much does stitching cost?

It depends on your city, the tailor and the design. A simple straight kurta with pant costs much less than an Anarkali with lining and piping. Ask your tailor for a price before giving the fabric, and mention any extras (lining, piping, latkan, buttons) up front.

Caring for the fabric before and after stitching

• For cotton suits, ask the tailor if the fabric should be soaked in water first — it avoids shrinking after the first wash.
• For zari, Chanderi or silk-blend fabrics, do not soak; dry clean after stitching.
• Iron embroidered panels on the reverse side.

Shop unstitched suits

Browse all unstitched suits at Ishifo — cotton, Chanderi and silk-blend sets with matching dupatta, delivered free across India. Prefer ready-to-wear? See our stitched kurta sets in M to 3XL.