Design 101 - Ikat

 

The Ikat fabric design trend has been quite popular in fashion and decor for the past couple of years, so much so that it has gone mainstream by being offered for the home through popular retailers like Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs and HSN.  Since I posted here and here about a Room Rx that I have in the works which revolves around an Ikat settee, I thought it would be fun to share a little education or "Design 101" on Ikat textiles.  So I fired up the old search engine and found loads of great info, engage your brains and let's get started!

 Ikat Weaving Tour

The word Ikat was derived from a Malay word "mengikat" meaning to tie.  What makes Ikat fabric distinct is the fact that the images are dyed onto the threads in a resist dye process similar to tie dyeing, before they are placed on the loom and woven into the finished fabric. There are three types of Ikat, the most often seen is the warp Ikat (only the warp or lengthwise threads are tied and dyed,) there is also a weft Ikat (weft or crosswise threads tied and dyed) and double Ikat (both warp and weft threads are tied and dyed.) Through common use, the word Ikat now means both the process as well as the finished cloth.

 

Central Asia is the home of Ikat textiles and for hundreds of years Ikat weaving has had social, economic, ceremonial and traditional significance. During  the 19th century's economic and cultural growth in the region, the making of these fabrics blossomed and demand increased via the "Silk Road."  As with any art form, Ikats vary greatly in technique, design and motif. Animals, birds, flowers, geometric and ancestral figures are represented in varying forms by craftspeople throughout the region.  A sophisticated, painstakingly produced textile art, Ikats have been used both as a form of currency and as a marker of status as over the course of their history.

The Language of Cloth 

Fast forward to today where the essence of the Ikat tradition has been interpreted and incorporated into interesting decor for the home.

From pillows and table skirts.....

 Aesthetic Oiseau

 Madeline Weinrib Atelier

Number Four Eleven 

To fabrics available for upholstered pieces at national retailers...

 Ballard Designs

 Pottery Barn

To wall stencils and framed artwork.....

 Ikat Wall Stencil

 Elle Decor March

Art, Posters and Prints

to gorgeous rugs....

 Company C

WS Home

  and to that wonderful little settee that started me on this whole journey to learn more about Ikat, there are so many ways to bring the look into your home.  
I love Ikat and feel it brings a well traveled, world vibe to a room.

 

Nate Berkus™ Studio Sofa at HSN.com, $500

I hope you enjoyed getting a little education today!  I look forward to sharing more "Design 101" in the future so if there is something you want to know more about, let me know and I'll do my best!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me,
I would love to help!