The technique of Ikat has its origins in South East Asia, Central Asia, South America and West Africa. It's prominence in India dates back to the 12th century. The term "ikat" means to tie or to bind which relates to the dyeing process employed in the making of these fabrics. They use a technique called 'resist dyeing' where the warp or weft threads are bound and bundled with rubber bands, which can resist the action of dye colors. The bundles are then tied to a wooden frame and put into a dye vat. They are then given repeated dye treatments to create different patterns. Once the dyeing process is complete, the threads are woven into a stable piece of fabric using a very intricate and complex process. Traditionally the fabrics used in ikat are silk or cotton.
