Handwoven Ikat Cotton Dress

Handwoven Ikat Cotton DressDESCRIPTION A fresh lavender ikat dress with streaks of weft threads crossing over daubs of white, together form an unusual texture giving this simple A line dress a special look ! Woven by ikat weavers of the Padmasali community of Pochampally, this dress is an important milestone in our shared journeys as we explore new ways of using the ikat technique to create new possibilities. Setting off the ikat dress is a delicate cotton Kimono Jacket woven

DESCRIPTION

A fresh lavender ikat dress with streaks of weft threads crossing over daubs of white, together form an unusual texture giving this simple ‘A’ line dress a special look ! Woven by ikat weavers of the Padmasali community of Pochampally, this dress is an important milestone in our shared journeys as we explore new ways of using the ikat technique to create new possibilities. Setting off the ikat dress is a delicate cotton Kimono Jacket woven in Maheshwar, a perfect counterpoint !

ABOUT THE CRAFT

IKATS OF POCHAMPALLY
In the early 70's traditional cotton weavers from the Padmasali community from Pochampally took a major decision to switch from weaving cotton to silk and incorporating the ikat technique from nearby Chirala to create silk saris. They adapted designs from the famous Patan Patolas and sold them throughout India at a fraction of the price. This formed the base for a booming handwoven silk industry, that has now earned its own GI tag ‘Pochampally  Ikat’ which gives them exclusive rights to tag their products by geographic indication.

IKAT TECHNIQUE
Ikat is a yarn tye and dye technique which requires several artisans with varied skill sets such as graphing, design marking, yarn tying, dyeing, untying and warp setting even before the weaver can begin weaving !In ikat, designs are created on the yarn prior to weaving. The ikat process entails first grouping of yarn followed by tying areas to a predetermined design or pattern. Next the hanks are hand dyed to the required shade. The tied sections resist the dye while open sections get dyed. Ties are removed and the pattern is revealed on the yarn. Then thread by thread the patterned yarn is handwoven into fabric it’s characteristic jagged contours identified as Ikat. When only warp or weft are dyed the fabric is refered to as single ikat. When both thread systems are tied and dyed the fabric is identified as double ikat.

PRODUCT DETAILS

Size: Free Size
Model Height: 5'7"
Dress Length: 40"
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless 
Material: Handwoven Pochampally Ikat Cotton x Cotton 
Technique: Tie Dyed & Handwoven Ikat 
Colors: Purple, Natural