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ABOUT OUR TEXTILES

Indonesian textiles have fascinated textile enthusiasts from around the globe for centuries. Due to the rich history and the ceremonial value of our textiles, Indonesian textiles are regarded as amongst the finest textiles in the world today.

The production of our handmade textile is recognized as ancient art, which is passed down from generation to generation, usually from mother to daughter. Most of the production of Indonesian traditional textiles is normally done by women. This production is highly labour-intensive, involving extraordinarily intricate processes and can take months, even years to complete a single sheet of textile.

There are three well-known methods used to produce Indonesian traditional textiles; the ikat (tie resist) method, the decorative supplementary weaving method called songket and the wax resist (batik) method.  Here at Wastra Indonesia London, we supply all of these types of textiles for you to treasure.

Please find below, brief information about the three most commonly used methods to produce Indonesian traditional textiles. If you have any queries about these processes, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

ikat textiles

Our traditional Ikat textiles were produced using the traditional tie-resist method, called “IKAT” in Indonesia and woven using a back-strap loom. 

The word ikat is derived from the Indonesian/Malay word “to tie”. The pattern is achieved by tying sections of the motifs on the threads, usually, the warp threads, to prevent unwanted dyes penetrated the desired motifs during the dying process. 

Each piece of the textile may be produced with several stages of ikat processes depending on the colours of the motifs the artisans are trying to achieve. The ikat process is probably one of the most complex and time-consuming processes in the making of ikat textiles. 

Here at Wastra Indonesia London, we supply many varieties of ikat textiles from many weaving regions of Indonesia.

SONGKET TEXTILES

Our songket textiles were handwoven using the decorative weaving method. 

Decorative weaving is a popular method used by weavers from around the Indonesian archipelago, is a method where decorative designs are incorporated into the warp threads during the weaving process.

Decorative weaving can be achieved involving supplementary warp, or supplementary weft techniques. These methods can produce embroidery, tapestry, checkerboard designs and many other geometric patterns.  In Timor this type of weaving is called Lotis or Sotis, in Sumba is called Pahikung, in Lake Toba they call it Sadum or tuntuman weaving, in other parts of Indonesia it is called, songket or songkit particularly well-known from South and West Sumatra.  

Wastra Indonesia London supplies several varieties of songket textiles from around the archipelago. Each of our products is given information and their origin. 

HANDMADE BATIK TEXTILES

In Indonesia, batik textile is a true national treasure.  Although originally, batik is recognized as a traditional and ceremonial textile of the people of Java, today the culture and tradition surrounding batik textiles have saturated the lives of most Indonesians. Batik has impacted many Indonesian lives, from birth to the end of their lives. Batik was introduced to Indonesians from infancy, where it is used as a baby sling, and batik is also used to shroud the dead in funerary batik.

Today, batik is also made in other regions of Indonesia such Madura, Jambi & South Sumatra and is well-loved by textile enthusiasts from around the world. 

Wastra Indonesia London supplies only two types of Batik, the hand-drawn batik, and the hand-stamp batik.  Each of our batik products is given details about the type of process to produce it and its origin. 

 

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