The Uzbek Ikat Tradition - Types of Ikat
In Uzbekistan, this extraordinary craft is known as Abr-band, meaning "binding the clouds." The poetic name reflects the flowing, blurred motifs that have become the signature of Uzbek Ikat.
Depending on the fibers used and the weaving technique, these textiles are known by different names:
- Adras – traditionally woven using a blend of silk and cotton. We normally use 80%silk and 20%cotton fiber for ikat production.
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Atlas – a luxurious silk satin weave celebrated for its smooth, luminous and vibrant surface.
- Shoyi – fine silk fabric woven entirely from silk yarns.
- Bahmal – handwoven velvet, one of the most complex and labor-intensive forms of Uzbek textile production.
Each fabric has its own character, texture, and weaving method, yet all share the same foundation of carefully resist-dyed yarns that make Ikat unlike any other textile in the world.
