Ikat (or Ikkat) is an ancient textile technique where yarns are resist-dyed before being woven into fabric, resulting in its signature "blurry" or feathered patterns. Derived from the Indonesian-Malay word mengikat, meaning "to tie" or "to bind," this labor-intensive art form requires artisans to meticulously map out designs, bind individual thread sections to block out dyes, and align them precisely on a handloom. Unlike block prints or surface dyes, the intricate patterns emerge directly from the interlaced threads.