How Ikat Fabrics Are Made
In Indonesian, ikat means “to tie” or “to bind.”
In the clothing and textile industry, ikat refers to a style of weaving using a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft before the threads are woven to create a pattern or design. The dying process applied on the warp is commonly found in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sumba.
In other places, the thread is dyed separately before the weaving process. They bind the fibers into groups of threads. That way, when the thread is dyed, they will not absorb the color. Those doing it must have a very good weaving skill because it is very difficult. People call it Double Ikat.
The dying process, if using natural dyes from plants, may take up months; some even need one whole year.
After the threads with desired color is ready to be woven, it’s time to set the loom up. It might take one whole day to do, and requires two persons to do it. They carefully line up the threads that will be precisely stretched on the loom. That is why they look so perfect that some think that they were printed fabrics.
As it is difficult to make and contains artistic value, people would pay a high amount of money and they turn out into collectible items. Yet, some with simpler process of making and design are also available for sale.
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