Batik-Dyed Starfish Placemats

Step 2:

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.

Step 3:

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.