Prayer flags are traditional temple offerings and can be seen gracing the entrance of many of Luang Prabang's wats or temples. The reeds, which are woven directly into the fabric, signify steps to heaven. This wall hanging mixes two techniques the Discontinuous Supplementary Weft (Chok) and ikat.
This wall hanging is woven using the Discontinuous Supplementary Weft (Chok) technique. Two or more coloured pattern thread are used to make the pattern.
The weavers adds the coloured thread by hand as opposed to using a shuttle. This technique is very time consuming. Sometimes a weaver can only weave a few
centimeters a day. The wider the cloth, the longer it takes. As for the ikat part, 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 tied, the silk can be dyed. Once the silk is dried, the weaver can start winding it. As the yarn is one continuous thread, itis 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.Made by Mrs. Vilaiphone. Dimensions 48 cm x 180 cm. Dispatch time 10 days.