Ikat / Ikkat- Traditional and Innovative Textile Fabric

Ikat, pronounced “ee-kaht”, is a unique fabric style.

The origins of this fabric have been considered to be in Indonesia and South America. Ikat fabrics have always been popular for their distinct style and unparalleled beauty. If you have ever used one, you will know how unique they are. 

The term Ikat is used for mainly three things i.e., the yarns, the technique, and the fabric. The process of making this incredible fabric is quite complicated, as the weaver has to precisely dye the threads, and place them correctly so it forms the correct pattern when woven. In order to replicate a pattern, the weaver would have to dye the thread in exactly the same place as before and line it up on a loom in exactly the same place and then they’d have to weave it the same way.

Ikat fabrics have always been in the limelight. Many designers and high street brands replicate the look of Ikat with printing. An original Ikat can be easily recognized from the faux printed ones by turning the fabric over! In warp Ikat it is only the warp yarns that are dyed using the Ikat technique. In weft Ikat it is the weaving or weft yarn that carries the dyed patterns. Double Ikat is a technique in which both warp and the weft are resist-dyed prior to weaving.