As an engineer, how and why things work naturally intrigue me. It’s part of my job to think of unique ways to achieve the same thing with different methods. And that refers to both the physical sense (e.g., how can I made something that will work the same, but using a simpler method) and the emotional sense (e.g., how can I make the transition for this employee to a different and more efficient workstation without resistance). It’s no surprise that when I found out about the process of producing those bright patterns, I was reading it up like a sponge. There are of course many ways of dying textiles and I am definitely NOT an expert, but I’d love to share with you what I’ve found as well as many items I love that show off the beautiful pattern created using ikat.

The word Ikat comes from the Indonesian language and means either cord, thread, or knot. It is actually a method and not any particular pattern and it’s used in many cultures all over the world. It’s a method of weaving that involves resist dyeing the threads before weaving. The dyeing can be applied to either the threads that are on the loom (warp) or the threads that are being weaved into the threads on the loom (weft fibres). The material, such as cotton or wool, is tied into bundles and dipped into wax so that the dye can’t permeate into those areas. The bundle is then dipped into dyes and often in mutiple colors depending on the result desired. The skillful weaver then has to decide which threads to use to create an often symmetrical pattern.

Isn’t that just incredible? Such much skill and work is invested into make such unique patterns. What art/design/craft processes intrigue you? Do you love learning about how things come about? What else would you love to learn the process of?

Meanwhile, below are some great ways to incorporate this wonderful style of dying and weaving or things inspired by ikat into your lives.

$16 for set of 3 Via Furbish Studio

$34 each Via Nordstrom

$20 for set of 2 via Furbish Studio

$25 for set of 3 via Furbish Studio

$71.20 for one place setting Via Best Wishes of Boca By Vera Wang

$35 each via Furbish Studio

$14.90 Via Avenue

$230-$245 via ABC Home

$15 Via The 15 Dollar Store

$138-$198 via Anthropologie