Ikat: Dyeing the Yarn Before the Weave
In Ikat, the pattern is dyed into the threads before a single row is woven — producing its soft, feathered edges.
Ikat is a resist-dyeing technique applied to yarn before weaving. Bundles of thread are tied and dyed so that, once woven, the pre-planned pattern emerges — with the soft, feathered edges that are Ikat's hallmark.
Many regions, many hands
Ikat traditions are practised in several parts of India, including Telangana, Odisha and Gujarat, each with distinct motifs and methods (single and double Ikat among them).
Sources
This article draws only on the references below. Please consult them for further detail.
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