Batik

From Freepedia

Image:Batik.jpg

Batik or batique is an Indonesian-Malay word and refers to a generic wax-resist dyeing technique used on fabric. The word originates from Malay word for dot or point, "titik" and the Javanese word "amba", meaning ”to write”.

It is found in several countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Iran, and Thailand but is most popular in Indonesia and Malaysia. The island of Java in Indonesia is famous for its batik.

Melted wax is applied to cloth before being dipped in dye. Wherever the wax has seeped through the fabric, the dye will not penetrate. Sometimes several colors are used, with a series of dyeing, drying and waxing steps.

Thin wax lines are made with a tjanting (canting) needle, wooden handled tool with a tiny metal cup with a tiny spout, out of which the wax seeps. Other methods of applying the wax onto the fabric include pouring the liquid wax, painting the wax on with a brush, and applying the hot wax to a precarved wooden or metal wire block and stamping the fabric.

After the last dyeing, the fabric is hung up to dry. Then it is dipped in a solvent to dissolve the wax, or ironed between paper towels or newspapers to absorb the wax and reveal the deep rich colors and the fine crinkle lines that give batik its character.

The invention of the copper block or cap developed by the Javanese in the 20th century revolutionised batik production. It became possible to make high quality designs and intricate patterns much faster than one could possibly do by hand-painting.

As compared to Indonesian batik, which are mystic-influenced and carry illustrations of animals and people, Malaysian batik have brighter hues and more versatile patterns. Kelantan on the eastern coast of Malaysia is the home of Malaysian batik.

Procedure

  1. Heat the wax in a tin can sitting in a pan of water. This makes sure the wax stays an even temperature and does not begin to smoke or burn.
  2. Dry the fabric bone-dry before waxing or the wax will not penetrate the fabric.
  3. Choose a cool water dye, since the hot dyebath required for a hot water dye will melt the wax prematurely. The three classes of cool water dyes are azoic or naphthol dyes, vat dyes, and fiber reactive dyes.
  4. Use paraffin wax if you want lots of crinkle lines. More beeswax if you want fewer crinkles.

External links

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