ikat
The ikat technique has the reputation of being one of the oldest traditional methods of resist dyeing. The threads tied beforehand according to a very precise plan are dyed before being woven. The wires covered by the ligature “resist” the dye, creating a pattern. It is during weaving that the pattern that was used to position the ligatures appears.
The name "ikat", root of the Malay verb mengikat which means "to bind" or "to attach", refers to both this particular type of dye and the resulting fabric.
Ikat fabrics often have small irregularities in the weaving related to the technique and the use of artisanal threads. This is part of their charm and is not classified as faults.
To dye, the threads are mounted on skeins, then ties are tied around the threads in order to preserve the desired parts of the dye. The process is repeated as many times as there are colors. Once dyed, the threads are woven by hand on traditional looms to arrive at the final pattern. Hand weaving is an art that requires time .
Find ikat fabrics at ikatee here
Batik or wood block printing with wax reserve
The canvas is printed by hand using a traditional technique practiced in Indonesia or India and colored with natural dyes. It will never print perfectly like a digitally printed garment, but that's part of its charm. The patterns are printed in hot wax with wooden stamps. Then the fabric is dipped in the dye which preserves the pattern of the dye. Then we wash and the wax is removed (there may remain a very slight waxed touch on sale which fades with household washing).
The batik fabrics often present small irregularities in the weaving related to the technique and the use of artisanal threads. This is part of their charm and are not classified as faults.
Find batik fabrics at ikatee here
