Background is royal blue, black woven, Thai silk swatch below enlarged 1,000%!

Silk FAQ 11:

What is mudmee
(ikat) pattern Thai silk?

The people who migrated into the central and Mekhong River basin area of northeast Thailand from Pakse and Savankhet Laos brought their weaving skills with them. In the 19th century, Thailand's King Rama V introduced advanced technology which created the foundation of the country's large silk industry.

Mudmee fabric is usually a four yard piece of cloth that is two yards a solid or two-tone color and two yards the mudmee pattern. However, we can weave just the mudmee pattern any length required.

We can also customize the pattern's color scheme for you, giving you computer simulations to help you make your decision. This is our most popular product and service. We have about 150 mudmee patterns -- the largest collection on the Internet.

Thailand's northeast was not always the arid area that it is today. As recently as 1960, forests were lush and abundant and natural resources for dyes were plentiful. Jim Thomson introduced the permanent chemical dyes that are now so common.

Traditionally, daily dress in Thailand was practical and rather plain. However, a great deal of time and expense was spent to weave fabric for weddings, temple ceremonies, funerals, important meetings, important social occassions, and spirit appeasing ceremonies, resulting in spectacular quality as well as complex techniques and designs.