Ikat

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN AND APPLICATION
Lesson 10: Methods of Producing Designs on Textiles: Printing, Dyeing & Painting

Ikat

A complex and unusual variation of resist dyeing has been practiced in many places. The process, called ikat, requires the weaver to prepare the warp yarns before weaving. The term Ikat is derived from the stem of an Indonesian word Mengikat, which means to ‘bind’ and technically known as spaced dyed yarn. Ikat dyeing refers to yarn dyeing especially the warp yarns, to produce unique effects much different from the well-defined designs printed on the fabric. Selected sections of the yarns are covered with a resist material-wax, clay, or other yarns as in tie and dye. The warps are dyed, and the covered area does not absorb the dye. If a more compli­cated pattern is required, the warp yarns need to be treated several times. When dyeing is completed, the resist material is removed, and the filling is woven into place. This produced a fabric design of blurred, indistinct patterns having a shimmering, soft quality that is very beautiful (Fig. 10.15). Sometimes yarns of both direction warp and weft both are tied and dyed and then woven into the fabric. It is called as double ikat.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 31 January 2012, 6:46 AM