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Ikat (pronounced: E–cot) is a method for coloring fabric in patterns by resist dyeing. This Ikat-Inspired pattern is printed on the surface of a fabric of your choosing. The pattern is not woven into the fabric structurally. The technique of making Ikat, known as 'Ikkat' has its origins from around the world, including South East Asia, South America and West Africa. It's an ancient art that was derived from the Malay word, 'Mengikat' which means to tie. Actual Ikat fabrics are somewhat rare and very expensive because of the labor intensive production process in which parts of the yarns for the warp and/or weft are protected with a resist before dyeing. The dye then colors the yarn everywhere except under the binding. After dyeing, the bindings are removed and the pattern appears undyed on a colored ground. When dyeing is complete, the yarn is then woven into fabric, often in a relatively simple structure and often in a density that highlights the warp. This is what makes ikat so interesting when compared to other types of resist dyeing. The pattern is made to the actual threads before being constructed into a fabric. The fabric being sold here was designed in the spirit of Ikat and printed onto, not woven into, the surface. Ikat is usually described using terms that refer to which threads are dyed. Warp Ikat: where only the warp threads are bound. This is the most common. Weft Ikat: where only the weft threads are bound. Compound Ikat: where both the warp and weft threads are bound, but their designs are independent of each other. Double Ikat: where both the warp and weft threads are bound, but their designs work together to create the overall pattern. This technique is the most rare due to how complicated and difficult it is to create.