Batik Fashion

Batik is a dye resist process using wax. The fabrics coloured in this way are also called batik. The technique involves applying molten wax to those areas of the cloth that are to remain undyed. When the waxed fabric is submerged in a dye bath, the unwaxed areas are coloured, and the wax-coated areas repel or resist colouring.

Traditional batiks are made in the following manner:

1. The fabric, usually cotton or rayon, is washed and dried several times;

2. A diluted starch solution is washed in;

3. The fabric is beaten to smooth it out and to prepare the fibers for dyeing;

4. The wax is applied to create the motifs with a spouted applicator called a tjanting, or printed on with a copper stamp called a tjap;

5. The fabric is painted or immersed in a dye bath;

6. When dry, the fabric is boiled and scraped to remove the wax;

7. The waxing and dyeing process is repeated for each colour.

Whew! A labour intensive process, isn't it? Owning a batik from Bali is a real gem!