Sunday, September 1, 2013

Easy Batik Method

I have always wanted to try Batik, but space is limited, I don't have a spot to play with wax and dyes, no where to really get "messy"
Recently, a reader and I were emailing back and forth, talking about various classes, workshops, techniques. She described a batik method where instead dye baths, the dyes are simply painted on.  well this really got me thinking....I wanted to try it so badly....but had no supplies on hand.
Those who follow me regularly KNOW that was not about to stop me....Like Clark Griswold...."I was on a QUEST"   :-)

So here is what I did

I have one of those little wax burners....you know the ones, you put a small cube of scented wax and melt it with a tea light candle placed underneath.  Okay....I now had hot wax.

I took a piece of muslin, lightly drew a design and then placed this in an embroidery hoop.


Next I traced the outlines using nothing more than a cheap paint brush dipped into the hot wax. It is going to take a little practice to get smooth lines but for my first time I am really quite pleased.
I checked to be sure the wax was going right through the fabric,

to give you an idea of size.....that hoop measures 12" across

then it was time to paint.....and that is what I did, I used textile paints diluted with water so that they flowed. I also used a little bit of acrylic ink (just to see how it would work)




I removed it from the hoop and continued placing more paint, I don't like to waste anything, so I threw some of the leftover colours into the blue background.  This was now very wet so I could test how well the wax would work as a resist.  You can tell that the work was good and wet by the reaction to the handful of salt I tossed onto the whole works before leaving  it to dry


Once it was dry, I placed the piece inside layers of newsprint (clean, unprinted) paper and set my iron to a low heat.....the heat from the iron melted the wax...the paper absorbed it.

now, of course, you know I HAD to add some doodling


This was such an interesting experiment, I can hardly wait to try it using some paraffin ( I have no idea what that scented wax is)  Next time I want to try doing several layers of wax and colour. 



27 comments:

ferne said...

This is really beautiful! What a creative endeavor!

Misty said...

Wow, this is stunning! Thanks for sharing your process.

Jean S said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jean S said...

You are having too much fun! I love it. Have you tried Elmer's school glue as a resist?

What Comes Next? said...

brilliant! I have one of those little burners sitting in a cupboard somewhere - must find it now! Love this idea! Your piece has turned out so well, and your doodling is the finishing touch.

comicbooklady said...

wow! you make it look so simple!

B J Elder said...

Wow! What a great piece you created. Will have to file this away and give it a try! Love it.

Anonymous said...

wow- this is so cool. Batik on a small scale... perfect for me too.
Thanks very much, and keep us informed on developments and further testing!

Nima said...

Wow that's really inspiring.. I got that feeling... That ... I should try.. Thank you for sharing the idea.

Beth@IHaveANotion.com said...

I guess you will be keeping the wax burner.... but not for the original use!!! Looks like lots of fun! Let me know when you start producing fasbric or small fabric pieces... I have some $$$.

Terri Stegmiller said...

Beautiful results. Your doodling adds so much to the piece.

Joan said...

That looks so fantastic

quiltedfabricart said...

As usual your creativity just blows me away! This is fabulous! Thank you for taking the time to show us.

Anonymous said...

Very neat (in both senses) idea. I've painted on denim and tenting canvas with acrylic craft paints (the kind sold for wood and ceramic, but they work on fabric too) and found I had to use a very fine brush to stay inside my lines.

Diane J. Evans said...

A-MAZ-ING!! (As always.) It's cool to see that the color of the wax really doesn't matter all that much. And the idea of hooping the fabric is nothing short of brilliant. You go, girl!

Diane

Robbie said...

We are going to call you McGiver instead! This turned out lovely!!! The 'doodling' added the perfect touch to finish the piece.

Karen S said...

Love this -- especially the salt effect. I have a bunch of batik wax someone gifted me. Still haven't tried it. Your results are inspiring me to get it out and try it!

Raewyn said...

Wow, great result! It almost looks do-able - thanks for sharing.

Jackie said...

I was just going to leave a one word comment, 'Show Off'=)
Then got a bit concerned your followers might track me down...not knowing our annoy/love relationship=) so once again... u have outdone yourself!

Kim said...

Oh my didn't your piece turn out beautifully? Nicely done Jill :0)
Great colors.
How many different techniques have you tried this year? Have you kept track?

Always fun to visit and learn something new :0)

Happy Sewing

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

Ooooh this is fabulous - what a cool idea - I have to try this. What about using Dye-na-Flow? It's already diluted and a lot of people use it like silk paint...but it is truly a paint that acts as a dye. Leaves no hand to the material. I use it for airbrushing on fabric.

This is great!

Createology said...

Beautiful Batik without all the mess. You are genius. I love your results. Since I was MIA I also read your previous post and really like your penny charm pillow. Lots of great effects from such simple supplies. Very stunning dear...

tich said...

Fabulous work as usual. Be careful of paraffin. My batik was ruined when it was used on it to take away the wax.

Suze said...

Very cool piece. Love that you just jumped right in there and did it...the result is fabulous..the doodling really makes it spectacular!

Borderline Quilter said...

Oh Jill, I've been saving my wasted wax tarts for something just like this.....I can't throw anything away.....of course mine will never be to the standard of yours, this is fabulous......

Amy @ Amy's FMQ Adventures said...

Ooh! I just love your doodles on fabric! The wax process looks like a lot of fun too.

Unknown said...

This is fantastic! It is a combination of batiking, zentangling, and fabric painting! I love it.

Copyright Jill Buckley