SOUTH INDIA

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Silk ikat sari border

Koyyalagudam: Andhra Pradesh

There is a lot to see in this image: The fuzzy nature of the white and yellow diamonds show that the warp (cross) threads have been tie-dyed to give a single-ikat technique. The complicated gold lengthwise pattern on the border has been achieved with a Jacquard type loom.

A few centimetres below the wooden spreader are three small golden lozenges which have been inserted into the border using a tapestry techique. These zari (gold wrapped silk) threads are incorporated into the final design using a tiny shuttle. Another set of gold lozenges is just starting at the upper margin of the weave. Running down the picture are gold theads from these inserts. In the weaver's hand is a complex wooden picker which facilitates the adjustment of individual threads.

It is the extraordinary attention to every detail of weaving and production that makes Indian textiles so glorious.

Join our South India tour to discover these delights for yourself.

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Spaces on the Silk and Spice tour are limited, so if you are interested, check the page:

 Silk and Spice  South India: Feb - Mar 2005

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Our Warp and Weft tour focuses on the textiles and crafts of northern India.

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revision 29mayr04
http://www.greenkiwi.co.nz/footprints/photo/ph0406.htm