Fabricadabra

Seriously, this company’s name is Fabricadabra and they sell the most fabulous Ikat fabric pillow covers.

I learned from their website, that Ikat is a style of weaving that uses a tie-dye process on either the warp or weft, before the threads are woven to create a pattern or design. A Double Ikat is when both the warp and the weft are tie-dyed before weaving. “Ikat” means “tied” or “bound” in the Malay language which describes the process. Through common usage the word has come to describe both the process and the cloth itself – you know kind of like Xerox or Coke.  

Ikats have been woven in cultures all over the world. In Central and South America Ikat is still common in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico. In the 19th century, the Silk Road desert oases of Bukhara and Samarkand (in what is now Uzbekistan in Central Asia) were famous for their fine silk ikats. India, Thailand, Japan and several South-East Asia countries have cultures with long histories of Ikat production. Double Ikats can still be found in India, Guatemala, Japan and the Indonesian island of Bali.

Like any craft or art form, Ikats vary widely from country to country and region to region. Designs may have symbolic of ritual meaning or have been developed for export trade. Ikats are often symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige. Perhaps because of the difficulty and time required to make Ikats, some cultures believe the cloth is imbued with magical powers.

Ikats are handwoven and dyed so they often have what would be considered imperfections if they were mass-produced using high powered looms. They can have flecks of other dye colors, looped yarns and what appear to be runs. This is the inherent beauty of a completely handwoven and dyed fabric.

What’s at the top of my list? The Ikat Pillow Cover. I cannot wait until my french settee is recoverd in white linen, these pillows are going to look amazing. And for only $40.00 each, I can justify picking up more than one. Silk/cotton Ikat pillow cover from Uzbekistan. Ikat on face and back. Handwoven, natural dyes. Zipper closure. 18″x 18″. Magenta, hot pink, pearl, turquoise.

And my all time favorite? The top of my list. The chair I absolutely must have immediately…

The Cadet Chair from Neiman Marcus.

The big pattern and small size create a chair that’s just right to make an impact in so many places. It would be perfect with a magenta linen down stuffed pillows. It would really be perfect anywhere.

It’s set on a swivel base and covered in rayon/polyester fabric. 28.25″W x 26.5″D x 30″T. Imported. Expensive.

Drooling for Ikat,
Ashley