Information about IKAT technique

The term IKAT originally comes from the Indonesian word 'mengikat', meaning to 'tie or wrap'. This is a technique which has been handed down over the ages and is exceptionally complicated and time consuming way to design textiles. Prior to weaving itself, the pattern is created by tying the warp threads together in bunches and coating certain parts with wax to keep them from absorbing dye. In a double IKAT, as can be seen in one of our collections, both the warp and weft threading is tied. The black circles in Double Ikat Hand Embroidered Cushion Cover created by this resist-batik printing have slightly hazy transitions at the borders to the second color.

This effect is intentional lends the textiles their characteristic appearance. Multi-color fabric patterns of course require even more work and dying steps. The yarn has to be tied again and again, dyed and dried.

Researchers are still divided in their opinion as to the origin of this technique. IKAT weaving is a tradition found all over Asia. It can be found in Indonesia, Malaysia, India, China and Uzbekistan as well as Persia. But there are also weaving mills in Africa and South America and even Europe - on the Balearic island of Majorca.

Incidentally, the term IKAT only began to be used starting in 1930. In the nineteenth century, Europeans referred to this type of fabric as 'flame cloth'.               

In Central Asia along the former Silk Road, weft IKATS are called 'abr', whose Persian meaning is 'cloud'. The cloth's slightly hazy contours are the likely reason for its name.

Fabric motifs originating in Asia bear names such as 'ram's horn', 'pomegranate', or 'diamond'. It is no longer possible to know if these have mythical meaning. However, it is true that so-called 'hinggis' have been woven into the IKAT cloth as magical prophesies.

The attractive IKAT motifs are now also available in printed fabric. However, we are sure that you will not regret choosing to purchase a genuine IKAT.