Here at Piece & Co., we’re in love with ikat! And so are many of the brands we work with, including Madewell and Rachel Roy. So what makes this centuries-old textile so lovable? Well, its versatility for starters. Throughout the years, we’ve seen ikat turned into hats, scarves, pillows, bags, and even ties. But the true reason we’re such big fans has to do with the hard work behind it. To make ikat, artisans use bindings, such as knots or rubber ties, to protect portions of the fabric during the dyeing process, which creates a desired pattern on the yarn before it’s woven into fabric. Each of our artisan groups differs in their approach to ikat because techniques can vary by country or region. But the end result is still the same: a stylish and unique textile that can be used in myriad ways. We dive into the Indian ikat process to highlight just how lovable ikat really is. Indian ikat 101 »