Five ladies and I headed to Adenta on Saturday to learn the art of batik from our dear friend Esther. I have come to be grateful for an iPad with a map feature; we never got lost once! Here is Esther with the wall of batik stamps (foam blocks with a design carved into them). The hardest part of batiking was choosing which stamps to use and what 3 colors of dye to experiment with. The rest was just fun.
For me it went like this.
Step 1: Stamp the design with parafin wax on the white fabric.
Step 2: I chose to dye the fabric blue and it was laid it out to dry on the grass (it is amazing to watch the color change as the fabric dries).
Step 3: Stamp a different design with parafin wax on the blue fabric.
Step 4: Next I chose to dye the fabric purple and it was laid it out to dry on the grass.
Step 5: Stamp a different design with parafin wax on the purple fabric.
Step 6: I chose to dye the fabric dark purple and it was laid out on the grass to dry (it turned navy blue - oh well).
Fortunately, we had help with the dying process which really requires rubber boots, gloves, and apron. We also had help with the final step which is dipping the fabric in a boiling cauldron to remove the wax for reuse.
I'm happy with the outcome; I think all six of us are. I have a great kitchen tablecloth!
Our amusement for the day was this little fellow, who was only tied up because we were there.
