Into the art of ‘Ikat’- a dyeing technique – Artless

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Into the art of ‘Ikat’- a dyeing technique

Every dyeing and weaving technique is unique in its own way. The beautification of the whole process, from dyeing to the end product, is something worth acknowledging. One of the dyeing techniques that offer us with splendid surface designs on fabric is Ikat. Surfaced in Indonesia, the beauty of Ikat design is admired throughout the world, especially Asia.

 

Credits: indoindians.com

Introduction of Ikat in India

Known as Dye, bandhani or chiticki in India, Ikat started to exist in India from 12th Century AD and was famous in Cuttack. The designs of Ikat are very artistic and have been a style statement for centuries. Orissa ikat, Puchampalli ikat, and many other ikat products are already secured by GI to preserve it. Many parts of India have adapted the weaving technique of Ikat. In Gujarat, you will find a rare type of ikat, also known as Patan Patola, which is a form of double ikat. Even Orissa has its own version of ikat known by the name of Sambalpuri ikat. It goes by the name of Pasapalli in Odisha, Puttapaka in Telangna and Telia Rumal in Andhra Pradesh.

How Ikat is formed on fabrics?

Ikats are printed on the fabrics in a way that individual yarns are bound tightly or bundle of yarns by tying them up as to create the desired pattern. Then this tied bundle is dyed. Once the tied yarn is opened, the design itself comes out on the fabric. Then these yarns are woven into cloth. These designs can be altered based on the way the yarns have been bound. The result is multicolored web-like designs spread all over the fabric. 

You may also notice blurriness at times which is caused due to the difficulty that the weaver has to go through just to get the perfect result. A weaver needs to take care of the way dyed yarns have been lined in order to get an even pattern. But this process causes a bit of blurriness. The solution is to use finer yarns but a skilled craftsman will always overcome this problem. That’s the amount of effort, creativity and hard work is put into the making of ikat.

 

Credits: craftsvilla.com

Difference between Ikat and Tie-Dying

In Ikat, the yarns are bound, then dyed and finally, the weaving process of the cloth takes place whereas, in other techniques like tie and dye and batik, the dye is applied directly to the cloth. The design is created using the yarns rather than on the finished cloth.

About Artless

At Artless, we encourage these traditional methods of dyeing and weaving as to preserve this art. Nothing can compete with this hand-made art and we believe that the craftsmen who practice this art are bestowed with this extraordinary talent. One of the reasons, we boost traditional and ethical fashion for we know its value. It’s time that everyone should know what goes behind a single piece of fabric. So the next time you buy Artless, know the hard work and sweat that has been put into making it. Not only this but how someone’s art is getting promoted to the masses.