Ikat means "to bind," and is an ancient way of creating a design in fabric by resist-dyeing the threads before it is woven. Originating in Uzbekistan, tiny bits of platic are tied onto the threads of the weft (crosswise filling threads). When put into the dye, the tightly tied thread resist the color and create a pattern when the platic ties are removed.
Ikats are often symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige. Modern Uzbek adras ikats in cotton and silk are brightly colored with good imported natural dyes and is a labor-intensive process. Handwovens, free of the chemical additives and stresses of power-loom production, are vastly different in appearance and feel from machine-made fabrics. Plainweave ikat fabrics, due to the unique resist patterning, look the same on both sides of the fabric; there is no right side and wrong side to the cloth. The Uzbek adras ikats typically have 2” to 3” solid borders along each selvage.
Aren't these beautiful???
*These fabric images are from uzbekalive.com and very reasonably priced from $14.99/yard to $29.99/yard.
Take a look at what this fabric can do to a room. They create an old world feeling surrounded by beauty and culture.
*Image from Thephilippineslife.com
*Image from chemop.com.pl
*Image from prioritywindows.com
