You’ve seen the brightly colored fabric with geometric patterns before. Ikat creates a distinct pattern that many people love.
You probably know that the fabric is made with resist dye techniques and calculated weaving patterns. But have you ever wondered more about ikat’s rich history?
There’s more to ikat fabric than incredible craftsmanship. Check out these 4 lesser-known facts about ikat.
1. It’s Been Made Worldwide
We often associate colorful ikat fabric with India. However, cultures all over the world have developed ikat techniques. You can find ikat in Southeast and Central Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Japan.
You’ll find variations of ikat in different regions of these countries. Some countries tend to favor certain colors and patterns, which distinguishes them from other regions.
Some places may even use different terms for the technique. Ikat is often called “kasuri” in Japan.
2. There Are Different Types of Ikat Fabric
There are three basic types of authentic ikat fabric.
Warp ikat is made by dying the warp threads a solid color. With this technique, you see the patterns before the weft is woven in.
Weft ikat is more difficult to make. In this technique, the pattern dye is on the weft threads. The weaver must make sure that patterns line up, and therefore it takes longer to make.
The most difficult and expensive type is the double ikat. The artesian dyes both the warp and the weft threads prior to weaving. Production of this fabric only takes place in Japan, India, and Indonesia.
3. Ikat Is an Ancient Fabric
The Met is home to an extant fabric fragment of ikat from the 11th century. It appears to have a blue ikat fabric pattern that would still be attractive to people today.
The Silk Road helped ikat spread to Europe. Silk production plus Uzbekistan’s important post along the trade route helped spread ikat through the world.
But it’s even older than that. Ikat remnants were found in a 5,000-year-old pharaoh’s tomb. This not only indicates how ancient the technique is, but that there was trade between India and Egypt dating from millennia ago.
4. It’s Also Modern and Trendy
Today, ikat upholstery fabric remains a popular option for pillows, curtains, and more. Professional and amateur craftspeople seek out ikat fabric by the yard for their products and hobbies.
The colorful fabric has even made it to the world of high fashion.
The famous designer Oscar de la Renta used ikat in several runway looks. His 2013 collection featured clothing made from ikat fabrics. Gucci, Balenciaga, and Naeem Khan are among the designers who have used ikat as inspiration for their collections.
If you’re a designer, hobby sewist, or fabric collector, look here for ikat that you can use in your projects.
Find Quality Ikat Today
Whether it’s made by machine or by hand, ikat fabric is a distinct and beautiful creation that has a fascinating history. Purchase your fabric today and create something beautiful with ikat.
Love fashion? Check out our Fashion section for more information on fabrics.
