Product name: Ikat ZigZag Scarf

Type of product: Scarf

Description (story of the item): Add some color to any outfit with this flowy silk scarf. The zig zag pattern – achieved through the ikat technique – gives it an additional twist. There are five steps to ikat weaving. 

It all starts with wrapping the frame. Once this is done, the weaver starts tying the pattern. Before the invention of plastic string, people used a fibrous string made from a waterproof type of banana tree to tie the pattern. Once the pattern is tyed, the silk can be dyed. Once the silk is dried, the weaver can start winding it. As the yarn is one continuous thread, it is important that the pattern is kept in order. If the order is lost, it is almost impossible to weave the pattern. Finally it’s time to weave. The weaving is slow as care must be taken to line up the weft rows to maintain the pattern. Designs can take from two to ten days to weave.

This scarf was woven by Mrs. Sykai in OPT's weaving studio within the Living Crafts Centre nestled in a luxurious garden set on the banks on the Mekong River. Traditionally ikat is used for many ceremonial textiles. One way to see if a cloth is an ikat (as opposed to a tie dye cloth) is to look closely and see the colour of the original colour of the warp threads. 

Materials: 100% Silk

Measurements / size: 180 cm x 38 cm