J/140-260/MRN2
(140 x 260 cm)
SOLD
Color: Red

J/120-260/MRH
(120 x 260 cm)
Available.
Color: Red

J/140-260/MRHJ
(140 x 260 cm)
SOLD
Color: Red – Green

J/50-175/LRK6
(50 x 175 cm)
Available.
Color: Brown – Blue

J/25-175/LRK5
(25 x 175 cm)
Available.
Color: Red – Light Yellow

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.

Previously, Central Java is famous for its Batik. But, now, it is also well-known for its many traditional weft-ikat producers.

In Bali, Lombok, East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara, ikat fabrics made in Central Java are widely known as Rainbow Ikat.

The fabrics are handmade by local artisans using traditional weaving loom. Most of the raw materials are also from the cotton plants owned by the villagers. They do produce good quality cotton.

Many people apply them on various home decorations such as tapestry, cushion cover, curtain, table cloth, and many more. Yet, actually, these Ikat Fabrics would look good when turned into apparel such as dresses, skirts, blazers, pants, blouse.

One of the reputable Indonesian Fashion Designers, Poppy Dharsono, applied them on her creation last August on the APPMI fashion show.

You can find it in various places such as Java, Bali, Sumatra, Sumba, Flores, Maluku, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. And, Behind each piece of ikat fabric, you can trace various artistic and cultural values, depending on where it comes from.

In several places, they have different names for the fabrics as there are also various patterns. For example, in South and West Sumatra, they call it Songket. In North Sumatra, they call it Ulos. Ulap Doyo in East Kalimantan and Geringsing in Bali.

In Indonesia, we know three kinds of ikat fabrics based on how it is made. Lungsi, Pakan and Double. Lungsi is ikat fabrics whose motif is based on the vertical yarn while pakan is based on the horizontal yarn. And double means that both lungsi and pakan motifs are used on the process of creation.

At first, ikat fabrics were worn as traditional and prestigious clothing on certain occasions or as ritual objects. Yet, nowaydays, it has turned out into fabrics used by designers (local and international) and there is no limit to its using.

These fabrics are so beautiful that some made it into dresses, some others into skirts, blazers, pants, blouses, and many more. Not only that, you can even apply ikat fabrics on your home decoration, such as tapestry, cushion cover, curtain, table cloth, etc.