I don't know how many here weave using ikat technique. Ikat being defined as a resist dyeing technique using tight bindings instead of a coating as the resist. The word ikat is of Iindonesian origin but the technique is known in other areas of the world and is also knwon by other names such as "matmi" in Thailand. Ikat has pre-Columbian roots in South and Central America and Mexico. Ikat can be used in the warp or the weft or both and there are many beauriful examples of weaving using ikat technque. One of the ways to create patterns is to shift the pattern in the warp. Here is are some examples from a recent class:
These were all shifted by hand. There are, however, shifting devices and I recently did a search on the subject and found some very interesting informatin on both the making and use of shifting boxes at this site :http://www.medievaltextiles.org/news26.pdf