How to Batik
Prewash your fabrics., Dye your fabrics in base colors., Melt your batik wax., Stretch your fabric on an embroidery hoop., Begin to apply the wax with your tools., Regulate your wax temperature., Get ready to tub-dye your fabric., Repeat another...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Prewash your fabrics.
Use hot water to wash the fabrics in a detergent (such as Synthrapol) to remove chemicals and impurities that can affect dyes. -
Step 2: Dye your fabrics in base colors.
These base colors are the colors that will show under the wax resist. , Batik wax comes in a brick that needs to be melted in either an electric wax pot or double boiler.
Use caution with hot wax.
Do not heat it above 240° as it could begin to emit fumes or even catch fire.
It is not recommended that you heat wax on the stove top.
Wax pots and double boilers heat the wax slowly and at a lower heat. , The hoop will keep the fabric taught and stable, allowing you to apply wax with greater precision.
If you are applying designs to large swaths of fabric, you can lay newsprint or cardboard on your work surface without stretching it on a hoop.
The wax will penetrate through the fabric, so a protective surface underneath is highly recommended. , Various tools will yield different line qualities, so some experimentation beforehand is recommended.
Use a single-spouted tjanting tool to draw thin lines and designs.
It is a standard tool that is very versatile and comes in a variety of spout sizes.
A double-spouted tjanting tool creates parallel lines and can also be used in filling larger areas.
Brushes can also be used to cover large areas.
They can be used traditionally, in broad strokes, or as a stippling tool for a dot pattern.
Use stamps for the application of uniform shapes.
Stamps can be made of anything that can take the heat of the wax.
Try carving a potato into a shape, or using the end of a celery stalk to stamp out half circles. , The wax should be hot enough to penetrate through the fabric, but not be so hot and thin that it spreads when applied.
The wax will be clear if it has penetrated to the other side of the fabric. , When considering which dye colors to use, it is recommended that you begin with the lightest colors first (like yellow) and then move towards darker colors.
Wash your fabric in Synthrapol.
Dissolve your dye by following instructions on the package.
Some dyes (like reds) are harder to dissolve than other.
Add in the appropriate amount of non-iodized salt.
For a 1/2 pound of dry fabric, add in 1 1/2 cups of salt.
For a pound of fabric, use 3 cups of salt.
Add in your damp fabric.
Stir gently, but frequently for 20 minutes.
Mix up your soda ash.
Soda ash, or sodium carbonate, is used to bond the dye to the cellulose in fiber.
Dissolve the ash in warm water and add it into the tub slowly (over the course of 15 minutes), being careful not to dump it directly onto the fabric (which could cause discoloration).
For each 1/2 pound of dry fabric, add in 1/6 cups of salt.
For a pound of fabric, use 1/3 cups of salt.
Stir gently, but frequently for another 30 minutes.
Rinse you fabric and wash out excess dye.
Run cool water over your fabric until it runs clear.
Then wash it in hot water using Synthrapol.
With some darker colors, like red or brown, a second washing may be necessary to remove all excess dye.
Allow the fabric to dry. , With every additional layer you wish to add, follow the steps for tub dyeing.
Remember to tub dye your darkest colors last. , When you are done with all the color dyeing, you may remove the wax in one of two ways:
Boil the wax out.
Fill a pot large enough to hold your fabric with water and a few drops of Synthrapol.
Once the water begins to boil, add in your fabric and weigh it down with a rock to keep the wax (which will be floating at the top) from re-bonding with the fabric.
After a few minutes, the wax will pull out of the fabric.
After all the wax appears to be out of the fabric, allow the pot to cool completely, and peel the wax layer from the top of the pot.
Iron the wax out.
Place the fabric between two sheets of absorbent paper and run the iron over the sandwiched fabric.
The wax can leave behind a residue, so use care to ensure the wax is removed.
Periodically changing out the papers can aid in wax removal. , Throw your fabric into the washing machine with Synthrapol one last time to ensure all of the dyes have been released.
Dry your fabric either on a line, or in the dryer.
All batiked! -
Step 3: Melt your batik wax.
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Step 4: Stretch your fabric on an embroidery hoop.
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Step 5: Begin to apply the wax with your tools.
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Step 6: Regulate your wax temperature.
-
Step 7: Get ready to tub-dye your fabric.
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Step 8: Repeat another application of wax to add more layers of color and design.
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Step 9: Remove the wax.
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Step 10: Wash and dry your fabric.
Detailed Guide
Use hot water to wash the fabrics in a detergent (such as Synthrapol) to remove chemicals and impurities that can affect dyes.
These base colors are the colors that will show under the wax resist. , Batik wax comes in a brick that needs to be melted in either an electric wax pot or double boiler.
Use caution with hot wax.
Do not heat it above 240° as it could begin to emit fumes or even catch fire.
It is not recommended that you heat wax on the stove top.
Wax pots and double boilers heat the wax slowly and at a lower heat. , The hoop will keep the fabric taught and stable, allowing you to apply wax with greater precision.
If you are applying designs to large swaths of fabric, you can lay newsprint or cardboard on your work surface without stretching it on a hoop.
The wax will penetrate through the fabric, so a protective surface underneath is highly recommended. , Various tools will yield different line qualities, so some experimentation beforehand is recommended.
Use a single-spouted tjanting tool to draw thin lines and designs.
It is a standard tool that is very versatile and comes in a variety of spout sizes.
A double-spouted tjanting tool creates parallel lines and can also be used in filling larger areas.
Brushes can also be used to cover large areas.
They can be used traditionally, in broad strokes, or as a stippling tool for a dot pattern.
Use stamps for the application of uniform shapes.
Stamps can be made of anything that can take the heat of the wax.
Try carving a potato into a shape, or using the end of a celery stalk to stamp out half circles. , The wax should be hot enough to penetrate through the fabric, but not be so hot and thin that it spreads when applied.
The wax will be clear if it has penetrated to the other side of the fabric. , When considering which dye colors to use, it is recommended that you begin with the lightest colors first (like yellow) and then move towards darker colors.
Wash your fabric in Synthrapol.
Dissolve your dye by following instructions on the package.
Some dyes (like reds) are harder to dissolve than other.
Add in the appropriate amount of non-iodized salt.
For a 1/2 pound of dry fabric, add in 1 1/2 cups of salt.
For a pound of fabric, use 3 cups of salt.
Add in your damp fabric.
Stir gently, but frequently for 20 minutes.
Mix up your soda ash.
Soda ash, or sodium carbonate, is used to bond the dye to the cellulose in fiber.
Dissolve the ash in warm water and add it into the tub slowly (over the course of 15 minutes), being careful not to dump it directly onto the fabric (which could cause discoloration).
For each 1/2 pound of dry fabric, add in 1/6 cups of salt.
For a pound of fabric, use 1/3 cups of salt.
Stir gently, but frequently for another 30 minutes.
Rinse you fabric and wash out excess dye.
Run cool water over your fabric until it runs clear.
Then wash it in hot water using Synthrapol.
With some darker colors, like red or brown, a second washing may be necessary to remove all excess dye.
Allow the fabric to dry. , With every additional layer you wish to add, follow the steps for tub dyeing.
Remember to tub dye your darkest colors last. , When you are done with all the color dyeing, you may remove the wax in one of two ways:
Boil the wax out.
Fill a pot large enough to hold your fabric with water and a few drops of Synthrapol.
Once the water begins to boil, add in your fabric and weigh it down with a rock to keep the wax (which will be floating at the top) from re-bonding with the fabric.
After a few minutes, the wax will pull out of the fabric.
After all the wax appears to be out of the fabric, allow the pot to cool completely, and peel the wax layer from the top of the pot.
Iron the wax out.
Place the fabric between two sheets of absorbent paper and run the iron over the sandwiched fabric.
The wax can leave behind a residue, so use care to ensure the wax is removed.
Periodically changing out the papers can aid in wax removal. , Throw your fabric into the washing machine with Synthrapol one last time to ensure all of the dyes have been released.
Dry your fabric either on a line, or in the dryer.
All batiked!
About the Author
Teresa Torres
Teresa Torres has dedicated 4 years to mastering lifestyle and practical guides. As a content creator, Teresa focuses on providing actionable tips and step-by-step guides.
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