World of Patterns - Ikat

Ikat designs are very trendy these days and are found everywhere.. I mean on the wall, floor, sofas, pillows, lamp shades, etc.,... and even on clothing, bags, coffee mugs, etc., etc., These designs have existed for thousands of years! Their earliest prints were found in Asia, Middle East and Africa around the 10th century. This pattern's origin is unclear, but it has traveled through the Silk Road as a very popular item for trading.

Ikat is a derivative of the Malay word 'Mengikat', meaning 'to tie' or 'to bind'. The thread is tie-dyed before weaving is done. The loom (a.k.a the apparatus) used for weaving is then set up with this thread. The patterns are then arranged and precisely hand weaved. There is much more to creating this fabric than what I have described here... lots of intricate details and intense labor is involved. Some pillows, chairs, rugs, lamp shades and even a wall paper for you here... tell me what you think of this elegant pattern!