An introduction to Batik
Waxes
Most commonly used is a purpose blended wax made from microcrystalline wax & beeswax. Some batik artists make their own blends depending on how much crackle they wish to achieve. If less crackle is required they will add more beeswax.
Adding Colour
As wax melts with heat any dye process used must be cold. The most common synthetic dye to be used is Procion MX. These dyes work best if the fabric is not submerged in the dye for too long as over time the colours will penetrate the wax. The recipe below can either be used as a dip dye or as paint.
Thin dye recipe
1 litre warm water
1 level teaspoon Calgon
10 level tablespoons Urea
Mix the above ingredients together. Don’t worry about making too much as they will store indefinitely.
To make up a dye suitable for ‘faux’ batik mix 2 level teaspoons of soda ash in a little water. Add 1 teaspoon of Procion MX dye powder. Make up the solution to 250mls with the chemical water. This will cover roughly a square metre of fabric so you will need to adjust the amounts according to requirements.
It is also important to remember that by adjusting the amount of dye powder will create different strengths of colour.
Fixing
After painting these dyes on to the fabric it is best to keep the fabric damp by covering with polythene for two hours to allow the dye to penetrate and chemical bond to take place.
Removing wax from Batik
This can be done four ways:
1) Using Batik Wax Out – a great new product that removes the wax very simply and effectively without the hard elbow work of traditional methods.
2) In a saucepan. Mix a little washing powder with very hot water, place the saucepan on the hob and put in your fabric, after a couple of minutes remove the fabric and plunge into cold water. The wax will then brush off. Repeat with clean water as necessary.
3) Iron fabric between newspaper. This has to be repeated many times depending on the thickness of the wax. Small amounts of residue can be removed by squeezing it in a bowl of white spirit, and then washing.
4) Dry cleaning – if you are on good terms with the owner!
© shirley scott - handprinted.co.uk Sept'05