Batik Dyed Headboard

Step 2:

- Decide on a design you like for the headboard. For this project, it was a hand-drawn daisy pattern. Fill the fine-tipped applicator with Batik EZ resist and "draw" your design with the resist on the fabric. You can draw the pattern lightly with a pencil first if you like. Draw several random daisies randomly over fabric as desired. Then they can be easily traced with the resist. These applicator bottles allow for very fine detail but make sure to have a strong line for your design. You don't want the resist to wash away before any excess dye is rinsed out of the fabric. Let the resist dry thoroughly

Step 3:

- Cover your work surface with plastic dropcloth larger than the fabric rectangle in length and doubled in width. Lay the fabric flatly on the plastic taking care not to have folds.

- Grab your rubber gloves. Shake, measure and mix 2 Tbsp of Aquamarine Dye to 2 cups of very hot 140˚ water. Carefully pour the dye solution into the spray bottle. If the spray bottle is too hot to hold comfortably, wrap an old towel or a few paper towels around the bottle. Now spray the fabric as evenly as possible, making sure to fully saturate all areas.

Step 4:

- Fold the extra plastic in half over to cover the entire length of fabric. Now fold together the fabric and plastic in half. Continue to fold in half until it is a square bundle that can fit into the microwave. Try to keep these folds as flat as possible because excessive wrinkles could create a pattern in the finished piece.

- Wrap the fabric and plastic bundle in household plastic wrap as you would use in the kitchen. This plastic will stick to itself and create a seal.

Step 5:

- Line the microwave with paper towels. Place the fabric bundle in the microwave and set on HIGH for 2 minutes. Check after 1 minute to be sure the plastic is not melting. Remove from the microwave and carefully open the plastic wrap. It will be hot on the outside but cool within the inner folds. Carefully, unfold only once and refold the opposite way so the hot outside layer is now on the inside and the cool inner layer is now on the outside. Reseal plastic wrap. Place bundle back in microwave and set on HIGH for 2 additional minutes. Again check after 1 minute.

- Carefully, open the plastic wrap and remove the fabric. Rinse in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent, dry and iron.

Step 6:

- Lay fabric on work surface and place padded headboard face down and centered on top of fabric. Gently pull fabric around to the back of headboard and staple. To minimize excess wrinkles and folds, work out from the center of the headboard. When the batik fabric is all stapled securely, trim any excess leaving about 2" beyond the staple points.

Step 7:

- To give a finished look to the back of the headboard, cut a piece of fabric the same size as the headboard. Lay this fabric on the backside of the headboard and turn under the edge so it covers the staples about 1" in from the outer edge of the headboard. Using evenly spaced upholstery nails, tack the fabric in place.

Step 8:

SPECIAL BONUS PILLOW!

If you plan out your design, you can use the excess batik fabric that you cut away to make an accent pillow. I had a whole flower left over and using some of the scrap from the backing I made this pillow. Sweet, huh?
I did a round pillow with a 3" band around the center to give it some shape.

Step 9:

Remember to leave enough area around your design for seam allowance to sew your pillow. Here's a shot in the works.