Pronunciation:
[ee-kaht]

 
Origin:
1930-35; Malay: to tie, bind

Definition:
Taken from the Indonesian word Mengikat, which means to tie or bind. Ikat patterns are created through a resist dye process with either the filling or warp yarns being tied off in small sections by palm leaf strips. The strips prevent the dye from penetrating the bundled yarn. This technique causes an irregular effect in the fabric between the ground and figure.