Posted by LarryInAUS on Friday, 5. February 1999 at 04:48 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Ikat posted by Allan on Friday, 5. February 1999 at 03:53 Bali Time:
Colour retention depends on the quality of the fabric and dyes, which vary considerably. Are you familiar with the process of ikat? The pattern is tie-dyed into the horizontal or vertical fibres (or both in double ikat)BEFORE weaving. The result is a slightly (or, in poor quality, greatly) blurred pattern. I've bought several in Gianyar factories, Klungkung fabric market, and a factory in Sideman (very fine and stable), and from antique shops (for weaving from other islands) which are used for wall-hangings, bedspreads, bed-head cover, tablecloths, chair arm covers, window blind. The tablecloths are from Sideman in what they said was silk, but could be synthetic and the colours have survived several washings. The bedspreads and bed-head covers are heavy cotton, from Gianyar. They a small amount of colour in the pre-shrinking wash before making them. We are very careful with them, vacuuming, airing and careful storage in preference to washing and still look like new after 12 years. The window blind has faded considerably. Some of the light-weight weavings we've used as throw-covers haven't fared so well with retaining colour.