OPEN DOOR – Textile Tales - Week 8

There was a great sense of energy, enthusiasm and a lot of concentration today. We learnt a new technique -  batik, working with hot wax and brusho dyes. 

Batik is a fabric dying method using wax to create patterns and designs.  This method makes use of a resist technique; applying areas of the cloth with wax (a dye resist substance)  to prevent them from absorbing colours when the cloth is dyed

The group was introduced to the different stages of batik, applying hot wax and different layers of colour starting from light to dark.  Inspiration was taken from various books, one participant took ideas from a sea book and recreated this using the different wax tools, she worked ever so hard with her shaking hand and produced a fantastic piece. 

Although it was the participants first time doing the technique, they were very confident in using the tools and experimented in trying new things. 

We tried the crackled effect - scrunching the wax fabric and applying a dark coloured ink through the cracks.  I think everyone was pleasantly surprised with this technique as it created some fantastic effects. 

Finally the wax was ironed which created a crisp clear finish.  Everyone was so proud of their work and wanted to take them home to show others.