Ikat or Ikkat

Ikat, or Ikkat, is a yarn resist technique where the yarns are tie-dyed, and on weaving a pattern is created on the surface of the fabric.

Though the origin of this technique is not known exactly, there are several regions of Asia where Ikat could have originated, for eg, Southeast Asia, India and Central Asia are all possible candidates for the origin of Ikat.

The garments shown in Ajanta Cave paintings of India (from the 5th to 7th century) display Ikat patterns.  Cotton fabrics with simple Ikat stripes was made in Yemen by the 8th or 9th century and then traded to Egypt where Ikat still survives. Latest findings have that atleast during the last 200 years, Asia produced the most varied and highest quality of Ikat fabrics.

Technically, there are three different versions of Ikat weaving: Single Ikat  which is either warp Ikat or weft Ikat and Double Ikat.

In single Ikat fabrics, either warp or weft is tie-dyed and woven with the other thread ( weft or warp) of solid color. In double Ikat, both warp and weft are tie-dyed according to a pre-determined pattern and then woven to create design on the fabric.

Double Ikats—in which both the warp and weft yarns are tied and dyed before being woven into a single textile—are relatively rare because of the intensive skilled labour required to produce them.

In India, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Gujarat are best known for their Ikat weaving.  Andhra Pradesh and Orissa both produce warp and weft ikat while Gujarat is well known for its complex double ikat weaving used to produce the famous Patola Sarees.  Any textile fibre can be used for Ikat patterning but cotton and silk are the most widely used fabrics.

Our Orissa Ikat sarees from the Nuapatna region, feature Single weft Ikat work with the traditional motifs like charkha, peacocks, conch shells, fishes etc., each of which has a story of it's own to tell about Orissa and its rich culture. We have plain sarees with the popular temple border and beautiful Ikat work done in the Pallu.  We also have sarees with full body and pallu Ikat work. The dress suits from this region also have full Ikat patterning.

Pochampally Ikat which again uses all 3 techniques of Ikat weaving are cost effective and popular these days. We have cotton fabrics from this region that feature Single warp Ikat work

Shubhsarini Collections presents Ikat Sarees as well as Ikat Dress Materials of both Sambalpuri and Pochampally style.