Ikat Patterned Nation

What is it with Ikat? I love it!

It has popped up in countless stores including: Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, and Target. They have created displays which proudly host this ethnic looking fabric.

The primary colored pillows are sold at Pottery barn. They have exaggerated features of the Ikat pattern. None the less, they still carry the theme.

This patterned rug, in a bright unexpected color like pink, is so ecclectically cool.

Because I just finished up my beginning fabric design class, I wanted to know where this pattern comes from.

This woven pattern has many homes across the globe. India, Japan, and areas of South East Asia have used this weaving technique for the longest, but many other countries in South America also use the pattern.
The markings and weaving techniques vary according to their origin.

"Designs may have symbolic of ritual meaning or have been developed for export trade. Ikats are often symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige. Perhaps because of the difficulty and time required to make ikats, some cultures believe the cloth is imbued with magical powers." (Wikipedia.com)

The following pictures were taken in Indonesia by Linda Devolder. (They can also be viewed on her website: http://community.webshots.com/user/lindadevolder/profile)

This is the initial stage of Ikat making…The warp threads are bound with dye-resistant fiber so that they will be protected from the dyebath.

The dye-resistant fibre is removed leaving white uncoloured and indigo-dyed parts.

Ikat ready to be woven.

The weaving of ikat. In Sumbanese weave there are more warps per cm than wefts. By doing this the warp thread can be seen and it is this thread that carries the motifs and decorations. In good quality ikat the weft thread is always very dark, black or dark indigo.

Ikat ready to sell!

Sikkanese ikat weaving is predominantly in maroons, blues and browns. Uzbekistan Ikat fragment

Ecuador

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Indonesia

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Visit this blogger's website:http://indigodye.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Anthropologie sells Ikat patterned bowls like the orange one above. They come in green & blue too! And Ikat clothes!!? I want that dress on the bottom row! (Seen below as well)

The Famous in Ikat