Brooches

The classic placement is high on the left lapel or shoulder, roughly a hand's width below the collarbone. On a plain shirt it also works at the centre of a collar, and on a drape or saree pallu it doubles as a fastening.

Pin through a seam, facing or double layer wherever possible rather than a single layer of fine fabric. On lightweight materials, back the spot with a small piece of interfacing or fold the fabric so the pin passes through two layers.

Katdana is a fine metallic bead used in traditional Indian handwork. Stitched densely, it catches light the way zari does, which is why it makes such an effective accent on a small piece like a brooch.