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| Trina Turk Peacock fabric |
Spring is here! Vivid colors and interesting patterns are back to display the season's character.
While in San Francisco a while back, I remember seeing a textile exhibit at the de Young Museum that was really inspiring. The show displayed lavish ethnic textiles showcasing various techniques of dyeing such as batik and ikat. Now, about two years since I saw that show, ikat patterns are everywhere! (Maybe batik patterns will be next?)
Here are some of the latest home design products featuring Ikat patterns, all available from mainstream design sources:
While in San Francisco a while back, I remember seeing a textile exhibit at the de Young Museum that was really inspiring. The show displayed lavish ethnic textiles showcasing various techniques of dyeing such as batik and ikat. Now, about two years since I saw that show, ikat patterns are everywhere! (Maybe batik patterns will be next?)
Here are some of the latest home design products featuring Ikat patterns, all available from mainstream design sources:
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Horchow Ikat placemats & napkins |
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Safavieh Ikat rug, various sizes available |
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| Crate & Barrel Taza 23" square pillow |
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| West Elm Ikat Links rug |
What is "ikat"?
The word “ikat” means “to bind.” It is a very ancient way of creating designs in fabric by resist-dyeing the threads before the fabric is woven.
How does the ikat fabric differ from other fabric?
Ikat fabrics are woven by hand on narrow looms in a labor-intensive process. Thai ikats are generally 34” to 39” wide. Handwovens, free of the chemical additives and stresses of power-loom production, are vastly different in appearance and feel from machine-made fabrics.
Plainweave ikat fabrics, due to the unique resist patterning, look the same on both sides of the fabric; there is no right side and wrong side to the cloth.
How does the ikat fabric differ from other fabric?
Ikat fabrics are woven by hand on narrow looms in a labor-intensive process. Thai ikats are generally 34” to 39” wide. Handwovens, free of the chemical additives and stresses of power-loom production, are vastly different in appearance and feel from machine-made fabrics.
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West Elm Ikat print fabric, available by the yard |
Plainweave ikat fabrics, due to the unique resist patterning, look the same on both sides of the fabric; there is no right side and wrong side to the cloth.
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