Wax-Less Batik Leaf Pillows

Step 1:

- Launder fabric to remove any sizing or finishes that may interfere with the absorption of the dyes.
- Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.
- Cut two 14” squares of fabric. Immerse in warm water.

Blue Oak Leaf Only:
- Wearing rubber gloves, measure 1 teaspoon Evening Blue powder dye into an 8-cup glass bowl. Add 6 cups HOT tap water; stir well. Test dye color by dipping a scrap of fabric in the dye solution. If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too dark, add more water.

Green Elm Leaf Only:
- Shake liquid dye bottle before opening. Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 1/4 cup Lemon Yellow liquid dye with 1/2 teaspoon Kelly Green liquid dye (This is a custom mixed color that creates chartreuse.) Pour dye into large 8-cup glass bowl. Add 6 cups HOT tap water; stir well. Test dye color by dipping a scrap of fabric in the dye solution. If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too dark, add more water.
- Remove fabric squares from water; squeeze out excess water. - Immerse fabric in your chosen dye solution. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Line bottom of microwave with paper towels. Place bowl in microwave and set on high for 2 minutes.
- Remove bowl from microwave. Plastic wrap is hot; allow to cool. - Remove plastic wrap. Rinse fabric in cool water until water runs clear. - Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse, dry and iron fabric.
- Place one dry fabric square on sheets of plastic wrap that have been overlapped so plastic is slightly larger than fabric square. Apply Batik EZ resist medium to oak / elm leaf rubber stamp with a flat brush. Clean around stamp openings with wooden end of brush to ensure a cleanly-applied stamp. Then press stamp onto fabric, pressing firmly. Then press stamp onto fabric, pressing firmly. Carefully remove stamp.
- Repeat stamping until design is achieved. Add lines by brushing resist onto the fabric. Allow resist to dry.
- Prepare dyes for painting: Mix 2 teaspoons Taupe powder dye with 1 cup HOT tap water (140°F). Mix 1 teaspoon Dark Brown liquid dye with 1 cup HOT tap water. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water in the microwave or tea kettle.
- Paint around stamped leaves with Taupe dye. Then go over areas with Dark Brown dye, blending colors. Tip: Use small brush to paint Dark Brown dye over veins in leaves.
- Cover dye-painted fabric with plastic wrap. Seal edges. Then place it in the microwave and set on High for 2 minutes.
Wearing rubber gloves, remove fabric from microwave. (Plastic is very hot.) Remove plastic wrap and rinse in cool water until water runs clear. - Launder with mild soap to remove resist and any excess dye and rinse. Hang dry and iron.
- To create a trapunto-like effect, layer batik-dyed pillow with batting and a muslin backing. Then outline stitch around each leaf.