Ikat: A design to dye for

"Color speaks all languages." Joseph Addison (1672-1719), English dramatist, "The Spectator" (1711)

Ikat: Color, design, pattern.

Ikat: It's an odd little word that is taking the design world by storm. In actuality, it has been around for centuries, but just in the past couple of years has it made designers fall in love. So what is it?

Wikipedia states, "Ikat is a dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employs a resist-dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibers."

OK, we remember tie-dye, right? Before we can truly understand ikat, we need to know warp and weft. I promise not to bore you with this, but it helps to understand the dyeing process.

Citing Wikipedia again: "In weaving cloth, the warp is the set of lengthwise yarns that are held in tension on a frame or loom. The yarn that is inserted over-and-under the warp threads is called the weft, woof or filler. Each individual warp thread in a fabric is called a warp end or end. Warp means that which is thrown across.

"Weft or woof is the term for the yarn that is drawn through the warp yarns to create cloth. A single thread of the weft, crossing the warp, is called a pick. Terms do vary, for instance in North America, the weft is sometimes referred to as the fill or the filling yarn."

So see, that wasn't so bad.

In tie-dyeing the distinct coloration is created by tying the fabric and blocking certain parts of the fabric. Ikat is more refined, touching individual threads.

Ikat is actually Indonesian, which, depending on context, can be the nouns cord, thread, knot and the finished ikat fabric, as well as the verbs "to tie" or "to bind." Ikat is now a generic English loan-word to describe either or both the process and the cloth itself. Now you can talk ikat like a pro.

The ikat design can be found in fabric or carpets. I visited Area West, a local to the trade fabric showroom, and found many fabric houses are featuring this exotic pattern. Diana Della Iocono, showroom manager, told me, "The ikat right now is the most requested pattern by our designers. It works well with every design and the choice of color is tremendous. You can take creative liberty and do what you wish."

At the recent furniture market at World Market Center Las Vegas, ikat design was listed as one of the trends for 2012 and was it evident in many showrooms gracing sofas, rugs, pillows and bedding.

Another trend spotted at the most recent market was enhanced color. The ikat designs are a wonderful "go to" for designers when they are looking for that pop of color. The ikat designs range from very bright colors to more muted tones.

And, you certainly don't have to be a designer, or use a designer, to find and incorporate the ikat design into your space. There are ikat patterned pillows, chairs and rugs in many retail outlets. One could usually find these in import stores in the past, but today because of their new-found popularity, they seem to be everywhere.

I found a lot of wonderful samples at Area West and are excited to share them with you. If you are craving that bright and interesting, global addition to your space, ikat is just the ticket.

Carolyn Muse Grant is a design consultant, expert home stager and creator of beautiful spaces. Questions can be sent to her at creativemuse@cox.net.