Ikat is an ancient Indonesian motif that emerged from resist-dyeing techniques, in which patterns are created by binding individual yarns with a tight wrapping. The yarns are then dyed and subsequently woven into fabric. Different from tie-dye and batik, in which the resist is applied to the finished cloth, ikat cloths are already patterned on both sides, since the pigment is within the yarn. Due to the difficulty in lining up the pre-dyed yarns precisely, the weaving creates a blurred effect, which can also be reflected in printed textiles or wallcoverings.
