Uzbek ikat use varies depending on one’s interests. We have customers who make them for tailoring dresses or for decorating homes. Before we dive into how Uzbek fabric uses let’s start with a definition of Uzbek ikat.

Uzbek ikat fabric is an artisanal textile that is hand dyed and woven on traditional handlooms using a resist-dyeing method. This method of making the fabric is traditional to many regions of Uzbekistan with Margilan being the cradle of ikat fabric production of not only Uzbekistan but the entire Central Asia.  The resulting ikat design patterns and colors are bold and unique to Uzbekistan, making them a popular choice of unique textile among fashion designers and home decorators.

It is important to note that In December 2017 the traditional methods of manufacturing Uzbek ikat fabrics were included in the UNESCO Register of Good Safeguarding practices. What does this mean? It means that the art of ikat making survived within families overcoming repressions and bans on artisanal ikat making during the Soviet era. The ikat making in Uzbekistan was safeguarded by a small community of descendants of ikat artisans over the generations until the Soviet Union collapsed and it became legal to manufacture ikats in a traditional way. We have a great post talking just about that here.

We prepared several areas where Uzbek ikat fabrics are widely used:

Ikat fabric use in Fashion

Uzbek ikat fabrics are fabrics of choice of fashion designers who love color and know how to work with bold patterns. The resulting garments are usually one-of-a-kind eye catchy fashion masterpieces.  Uzbek Ikat fabric is widely used both by Uzbekistan designers and fashion designers all over the world. Many luxurious fashion houses have showcased beautiful garments made of Uzbek Ikat fabric. One such designer is Oscar De La Renta. This gorgeous Multicolored Cotton and Silk Ikat Strapless Dress is from Spring 2008 collection. This luxurious fashion house has repeatedly used Uzbek Ikat fabric over the years for making stunning dresses, coats, bottoms and uppers.

Furniture upholstery

Looking for ethno and boho vibes in your interiors? Uzbek ikat fabric can be used to upholster chairs and sofas. Needless to say, ikat upholstered chairs and sofas will be a highlight of the interiors. This is why it is important for interior decorators to keep a balance with other interior accents.

Ian Snow is one of the greatest decorator companies that frequently uses Uzbek Ikat fabric to make cushions, bedding, and sofa covers. This vibrant Pink Ikat Armchair by Ian Snow is one of a kind. The Pink Ikat Armchair will surely capture everyone’s attention.

Fashion accessories and ancient ikat fabric traditions

Uzbek ikat fabric is trendy textile for making stunning scarves, bags, belts, and neckties. These accessories can add a touch of color and texture to any outfit.

A Silk Ikat scarf is the simplest yet very important addition to any outfit. The Silk Ikat Scarves look and feel luxurious, and are lightweight, breathable, and soft. They are 100% silk produced in Uzbekistan. The silk ikat fabric is made using the same resist-dyeing technique as cotton/silk ikat fabric. We at Uzbek Alive also have a great collection of Silk Ikat Scarves, make sure to check it out.

This gorgeous Red Sun Medallion Pure Silk Ikat Scarf looks so stunning and whimsical. It is pure silk and will work great with many outfits.

The bags made from Ikat fabric certainly look out of the world. They are unique and eye-catching. This Pnuro Utz Pin Pin’s Duffle Ikat Bag is a union of a ravishing white and black zigzag Ikat fabric paired with light brown leather. The bag is a great choice for travel and the gym.

Ikat home decoration

In addition to ikat fabric upholstery Uzbek ikat fabric is a fabric of choice for making pillow throws, pillow covers, bedcovers and curtains. These décor items are an easy way to freshen up interiors, add interesting accents and interest to interiors.

We at UzbekAlive have a wide selection of ikat pillow covers in different sizes ranging from square to lumbar and ikat spreads.

Ikat fabrics in DIY crafts

If you enjoy working with artisanal fabrics Uzbek ikat fabrics will open a whole new world of possibilities in your crafts. Uzbek ikat fabric is a choice of fabric amoug DIY affecianados for craft projects involving embroidery, quilting and patchworking. We ourselves often mix our ikat fabrics with other fabrics to create interesting products. For example, we had leftover from a big order. Ovbiously, we don’t throw away any pieces of fabric since we know how much work stands behind it. Hence, we pair our leftover ikat fabric with coffee burlap or hand knitting to create not so usual ikat products.

To summarize, Uzbek ikat fabric manufacturing has its origins in Late Antiquity. It is one-of-a-kind artisanal fabric making techinique which evolved over centuries, passed from one generation to the next, was banned but still survived and booming making trends in both fashion and interior decoration.