If you've turned your head slightly to the right, or, nodded to the left at all in the past few months, you've seen it.
Ikat is a near universal weaving style common to many world cultures. Likely, it is one of the oldest forms of textile decoration.
Maybe you didn't notice it right away, but the gloriously colorful fabric that is showing up on everything from sofa's to swimsuits is Ikat, or Ikkat, is the method of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibres. The dye is applied prior to the threads being woven to create the final fabric pattern or design. Don't you LOVE this?
Double Ikat is where both warp and the weft are resist-dyed prior to stringing on the loom. Traditionally, and still commonly, a back-strap loom is used, though any variant or modern loom may be used. . This is a typical Ikat loom used by an Indonesian woman as she practices her craft
If not for these artisans, the world would be a much less colorful place..........
|
LOVE |
Ikat is a near universal weaving style common to many world cultures. Likely, it is one of the oldest forms of textile decoration.
Ikat weaving styles vary widely. Many design motifs may have ethnic, ritual or symbolic meaning or have been developed for export trade. Traditionally, ikat are symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige. Because of the time and skill involved in weaving ikat, some cultures believe the cloth is imbued with magical powers.
I think I'll add some ikat in my house..... pillows first........... I can feel the magic already......... pics to come......