Batik Leaf Pillows

Wax-Less Batik Leaf Pillows

Traditional batik uses hot wax as a resist to create designs when dyeing fabric. Hot wax is very hard to handle, and after dyeing, the wax is difficult to remove. With the “wax-less” batik method, a washable resist medium is used in place of the hot wax to create a design motif. The resist prevents the dye from penetrating the fabric and creates a batik-like effect. In this pillow, the dyes were hand painted around the resist creating light and dark shaded areas.

Supplies Needed

For Blue Oak Leaf:

• Rit Dye, Powder or Liquid:  Evening Blue Powder, Taupe and Dark Brown 
• Oak Leaf rubber stamps, large and small

For Green Elm Leaf:

• Rit Dye, Powder or Liquid:  Lemon Yellow, Kelly Green, Taupe and Dark Brown
• Elm Leaf rubber stamp

For Both Types:

• Crafter’s Pick™ Batik-EZ Resist Medium
• Two 14” square white, 100% cotton fabric for pillow top & back  (Piping can be dyed separately as desired.)
• 14” Square cotton batting & muslin
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cup
• 8-cup glass bowl 
• Metal spoon
• Assorted small brushes
• Plastic wrap
• Plastic table cover
• Paper towels
• Rubber gloves

Instructions

1. Launder fabric to remove any sizing or finishes that may interfere with the absorption of the dyes.
2. Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.
3. Cut two 14” squares of fabric.  Immerse in warm water. 
4. 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.
5. 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.  
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Repeat stamping until design is achieved.  Add lines by brushing resist onto the fabric.   Allow resist to dry.  
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Cover dye-painted fabric with plastic wrap.  Seal edges.  Then place it in the microwave and set on High for 2 minutes.
12. 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.
13. To create a trapunto-like effect, layer batik-dyed pillow with batting and a muslin backing.  Then outline stitch around each leaf. 
    
     
14. Finish into a pillow, as desired.