New in the Shop: Velvet Ikat Pillows

You know we’re always keeping our eyes peeled and ears to the ground on what’s what happening in the home decor scene, pulling in the best of what catches us for SHOP TEOT. It’s this thrill of the hunt and the discovery process that has long fueled the dream of opening up our own retail spot.

Lately we’re loving Velvet Ikats from Uzbekistan and so we brought a few in to introduce to you.

The latest addition to the collection is in store now and we think you might recognize them due to their sister friend, the silk ikat. Silk ikat pillows have long been an eclectic favorite. The strong graphic patterns in vibrant colors appeal to pattern lovers and global textiles collector alike.

You may already know that many different cultures weave an ikat. The ancient process refers to the practice of weaving dyed threads into the pattern on the loom. The pattern can be created by dying the strings of the weft or the warp. Each has its prominence in various regions, and each requires a different of skills and precision. Making it a handicraft that has long been desired due to its craft.

If you are curious about the recent fascination with Uzbek textiles I’ll tell you what I learned recently myself. The country that is now Uzbekistan was once part of the Soviet Union and was home to the silk road, an ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean. There are three main cities in Uzbekistan that were once must-stops for anyone traveling and trading along the route. Those cities are Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. I did a little bit of reading about what it’s like to visit these cities today and it gave me a little case of the wanties.

But I don’t see me strapping my new baby onto my back and hitting a foreign country for a textiles dig anytime in the next little bit. I’ll leave that to the more adventurous of you hippiewanderlusties out there. I can dream from here, via the internet!