Wax-less Batik Dyeing
Wax-less Batik Dyeing
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, such as Crafter’s Pick™ Batik-EZ Resist Medium, is used in place of the hot wax. The resist prevents the dyes from penetrating the fabric wherever it’s applied and then washes out when dyeing is completed. It’s so much faster and easier!
- Cover your work surface with a plastic cover. Place white or pre-dyed colored fabric on sheets of overlapped plastic wrap. Pour some Crafter’s Pick™ Batik E-Z Resist Medium on a paper plate and use the resist medium to stamp, stencil or draw a design onto fabric. Allow resist to air dry or use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.
- Prepare dyes: Mix 2 teaspoons powder dye or 1 teaspoon liquid dye with ½ cup very hot tap water. Add more dye for more intense colors or use more water for lighter colors.
- Apply one or more dye colors around designs created with resist medium, blending colors. Dyes can be brushed, sprayed, dipped or drizzled onto fabric.
- Cover batik-dyed fabric with plastic wrap and seal the edges.
- Cover bottom of microwave with paper towels to protect against spills. Place plastic-wrapped fabric in microwave and set on high for 2 minutes.
- Wearing thick rubber gloves, carefully remove plastic-wrapped fabric from microwave. THE PLASTIC WRAP WILL BE HOT. Wait a few minutes to allow the plastic wrap to cool.
- Remove plastic wrap and rinse fabric in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent. Rinse and dry.
