5 Types of Ethnic Textiles You Need To Know About

No matter what style of our homes are, it's safe to say we're always looking for ways to give it a pop of color. The easiest solution? Prints in the form of ethnic fabrics—pillows, throws, and bedding can add a charming, bohemian vibe to a contemporary home. Know your way around patterns, stitches and designs with this handy guide: 

1. Ikat print

Made out of a resist-dying technique, ikat prints can be abstract enough for modern interiors. It can also be found in a lot of clothing for its bright colors and unique patterns. 

2. Central Asian embroidery

Tribes from Pakistan and Afghanistan are noted for their richly embroidered fabrics with small mirrors and bells.

3. Sari

Commonly used in India to cover women's hair or as an overlay of a skirt, a delicate embroidered or sequined sari can be repurposed as a throw on a chair or sofa.

4. Block print

Indian method of fabric printing looks especially fresh in pillows and beddings. These designs tend to look cohesive so all you need to do is match the colors you like and you're good to go! 

5. Yakan weaving

Yakan people are recognized for their remarkable technicolor geometric weaves and the distinctive face decorations using traditional materials. Yakan fabrics are also known for their striking colors which make great accent pieces in your living space. 

WHERE TO SHOP: 

Kultura

• UG/F SM Megamall, Building A Unit 121 B, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
• (02) 808-5421

Triboa Bay

• Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall Building D, EDSA Cor Julia Vargas Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
• (02) 531-5420

Rustan's Department Store

• Courtyard Drive cor. Ayala Avenue, Courtyard Dr, Makati City
• (02) 813-3739

A part of this material is inspired by a snippet ("Ethnic Textiles") that originally appeared in the February 2014 issue of Real Living Magazine. For more information about products, events, and fairs featuring local woven fabric, follow HABI the Philippine Textile Council on their Facebook page.