Our production

First of all, ikat is the name of the technique of applying dye to the threads by hand, before the fabric is woven.
The method of applying dye is remotely similar to the knotted batik technique.
And here from these dyed threads is woven fabric, necessarily in hand, it is a feature of the technology.
As a result, you get a little pulsating edge of the pattern, and necessarily the presence of a white stripe - scat. The process of fabric production begins simply - the cocoons of silkworms are processed. The processed threads are stretched on a special frame, on which the threads will be tied before dyeing.

The contours of the future drawing are drawn on the threads with strokes. This is done according to sketches created by artists, based on both tradition and their own impressions and new ideas. After that, other specialists wrap with transparent adhesive tape those areas that need to be covered in order to paint the rest in the desired color. Earlier it was done by tying everything with tight threads, but now this stage has been simplified using new technologies. The threads are tightly tied in bundles, then all are dipped in dye. The fabric remains white in the places of the tie. After dyeing, the threads are dried and again tape the already dyed areas to dye the next. This is done until the base is dyed in all the necessary colors for the final pattern.
It is at this point that the process of producing ikat fabrics most closely corresponds to the technology of batik production in the knot technique.

  

After dyeing, the base is left with transverse zigzag stripes in addition to the intended pattern, which are produced where the thread bundles are tied to the frame. These stripes are included in the overall ornament and help to distribute the base on the loom.

 

As soon as the threads are dry, the scotch tape that has been tied is unrolled and the pattern of the warp can be seen in all its glory.
The warp is then stretched on the loom under the supervision of a master (who is always a man). Even now hand looms are used, but hand ikat is expensive. Therefore, for mass production, ikat is woven on modern mechanical looms. The fabric is bright due to the fact that the warp threads, on which the pattern is applied, are dense and thick. The weft threads are thin and barely visible.