Batik-Dyed Starfish Placemats

To add a colorful focal point to the table, Melony Miller Bradley created batik-dyed placemats using a starfish motif to carry out the beach theme.  She made a starfish pattern, traced the design on the placemat and then painted a resist medium inside the starfish shape.  After the resist dries, dye is painted around the resist to create a batik-like effect. The resist prevents the dye from bleeding into the design area.  After dye-painting, the placemats are wrapped with plastic and finished off in the microwave.  The starfish remains white, making a colorful, dramatic statement!

Melony has been designing full-time for the creative industry since 2004.  Her work has been published in national consumer craft and lifestyle magazines, including Women's World, Cloth Paper Scissors, Crafts’n Things, Create & Decorate, Green Craft Magazine, Altered Couture and Somerset Life.  Visit her blog, Mel Designs.  

On to the tutorial:

SUPPLIES:

• Rit Liquid Dye: Scarlet, Taupe, Aquamarine, Kelly Green, Sunshine Orange
• 1 yd. White 100% Cotton Broadcloth Fabric (makes 4 placemats)
• 1 yd. Sew-In Interfacing
• Crafters Pick Batik E-Z Resist Medium  
• Disappearing Fabric Marking Pen
• Paper for Making Pattern
• Assorted Bristle Paint Brushes & Paper Plate
• Straight Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine & Thread
• Iron & Pressing Surface
• Dyeing Supplies: Rubber gloves, measuring spoons, measuring cup, four 1-cup plastic containers, stirring spoon, plastic wrap, paper towels, plastic table cover 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prewash fabric to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.  Iron to remove wrinkles.

2. Using the disappearing fabric marking pen, draw and cut two 18” ovals for each placemat, one for the front and the other for the back.  Draw and cut one oval from the interfacing.  

3. Pin one oval layer of interfacing to one fabric oval; then pin second layer of fabric oval to first fabric oval.  Machine stitch layers together with a ½” seam allowance, leaving a 6” opening for turning.  Press the seam allowances open.  Turn placemat inside out and machine stitch opening closed.  Press the outer edges flat.

4. Use the starfish pattern provided and a disappearing fabric marking pen to trace a starfish shape on one side of the placemat.  Or, you can draw your own.

5.  Pour some Batik E-Z Resist Medium into a cup or paper plate.  Use a paint brush to fill in starfish area with the resist medium.  Allow resist to dry thoroughly before proceeding.

6. To prepare for dyeing:  Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.  Shake all dye bottles before measuring dye.  Melony used 2 color combinations: Blue Curacao #565 with Margarita #476 and Orange/Peach #115 with Margarita #476.  Dye recipes are custom colors from the Rit Color Formula Guide. 

7. For first color combination, prepare Dye solution #1 Blue Curacao #565:  Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 2 Tablespoons Aquamarine and ½ teaspoon Kelly Green with 1 cup hot water; stir well.  Using a paint brush, apply dye to one-half of the placemat, up to and around the edges of the starfish.  Note:  If the color is too light, add more dye.  If the color is too dark, add more water. 

8.  For Dye solution #2 Margarita #476:  Measure 1/2 teaspoon Kelly Green with 1 cup hot water; stir well.  Using a paint brush, apply dye to other half of placemat, brushing dye around the starfish motif.

9. Wrap each placemat in plastic wrap, sealing the edges.  Place on paper towels and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes. 

10. Remove from microwave and allow to cool.  Unwrap plastic wrap and rinse in cool water to remove excess dye.  Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and hang to dry.

11.For second color combination, prepare Dye solution #3 Orange/Peach #115:   Measure and mix 1 teaspoon Scarlet and 1 teaspoon Taupe with 1 cup hot water; stir well.  Using a paint brush, apply dye to one-half of the placemat, up to and around the edges of the starfish.

12. For Dye solution #4: Use the Margarita #476 from Step 8.  Reheat solution for 1 minute in the microwave or prepare a new solution, as needed. Using a paint brush, apply dye to other half of placemat, brushing dye around the starfish motif.

13.  Finish by repeating steps 9 and 10 above.

Add napkins to the placemats and your table is almost complete!