Knotted batik: technique, master class for beginners

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

The word "batik", according to one version, consists of two words ("ba" means "fabric", and "tik" - a dot) and comes from the language of the island of Java. This name appeared due to the special technology of dyeing matter using a drop of wax. Now it is synonymous with painting on fabric. Even in ancient Egypt, they learned to dye cloth in a special way, pulling it together and lowering it into water with various plants capable of giving off color. This technology was used until the 19th century. Costume historians suggest that knotted batik, or shibori, which came to this country from China, became very popular in Japan in the 7th century. Due to the cultural characteristics of the country, technology did not spread beyond its borders, but was cultivated in small workshops, where knowledge was passed down from generation to generation. In Japan, any work of a fabric painting master was equated with the art of an artist. Most often, kimonos were created using the knotted batik technique. It was not only completely immersed in color, but the knots themselves were painted with a brush. Then painting was added on the already dried fabric, embroiderysilk and gold thread.

History of Shibori

The very word "shibori" means the color indigo. Natural indigo was obtained from a legume called indigofera, which grew in tropical countries and was therefore expensive. The process of dyeing fabrics was long, as a result of which the cost of indigo products turned out to be very high. Depending on the duration of the dye exposure to the fabric, various shades were obtained: from light turquoise to deep blue. To obtain a bright, juicy color, the products were kept in the solution for about a week, periodically taken out, dried and again lowered into a vat of liquid.

Batik and synthetic dyes

Only in 1859 did aniline dyes appear as a result of synthesis. After that, the spread of synthetic paints was unstoppable. There were more and more different shades on the market. Knotted batik is often associated with hippie culture in terms of the very bright, flashy colors in which its representatives traditionally dyed their clothes. But, using restrained, cold shades in your work, you can create completely different images, more strict and classic. Having bought a ready-made dress or skirt, even beginners in the knotted batik technique can easily create a thing in their own original style.

Material handling options

Much in the technique of folding batik depends on whether the dye will be fixed at each stagematerial processing. By fixing the paint on an already knotted fabric or on a dried surface, you can get very different effects. There are many options, which is why a large number of clothes are created using the folding batik technique. Many masters do not smooth out the creases after the material dries. But this can only be done with special methods of fixing. In order to fix the product with steam, it still needs to be smoothed out beforehand.

Features of technology

Painting of fabric in batik technique is used in various fields: for decorating clothes, interior items, accessories. There are a lot of opportunities in this type of needlework and there are no restrictions either on age or on the level of knowledge. You can use different paints of varying degrees of fixing. The technique for performing knotted batik is quite simple: knots are tied on the fabric, which are first dyed in one color, then the folds change and the material is dyed in a different color. So, step by step, an unusual pattern appears on the fabric. Painting with small knots allows you to get a relief surface with a smooth color transition. The peculiarity of the technique is that it is possible to work both with cuts of fabric and with ready-made products. Using special clamps and even ordinary stones, craftsmen give the product a relief and corrugation. There is no need for a stretcher and there are no restrictions on the size of the canvas. You can paint any amount of material. Another option is to first paint the fabric and only then create a background with a dye. It is not necessary to use the color on the entire product,very often only certain parts are painted.

Batik in the interior

When dyeing fabrics in discreet shades of blue, you can get stylish textiles for a Scandinavian interior. Bright shades are suitable for creating accents in a classic or oriental style. Folding batik craftsmen create paintings, bedspreads, curtains, throw pillows, and even lampshades using simple techniques and a combination of different fabric dye applications. Depending on the method of fixing the dye, beautiful folds or embossed patterns may remain on the material. This allows you to produce bulky products.

Knot batik: master class

Folding batik is a very affordable type of needlework. Even children can master it. For beginners, knotted batik is a great option to get acquainted with the technique of hand painting. Prepare everything you need: you will need a product made from natural materials, such as a linen or canvas bag, as well as special dyes, scissors, string and a container of water. Fabric dye will need a special dye for dyeing vegetable fibers in cold water. The drawing can be supplemented with stencils to make it look more interesting, as well as add volume using a pearl effect outline. Before dyeing the bag, it must be washed and dried, as the fabrics are impregnated with special substances that can prevent the paint from being absorbed. You need to work only with clean material. We will immerse the fabric for dyeing in a plastic container with 2 liters of warm water. Cannot be used forthis technique, metal utensils and basins. Before starting work, put on gloves to protect your hands from pigment, and also cover the work surface with a film and prepare napkins just in case.

Preparation and dyeing of the product

In order to get spectacular vertical stripes of various shades on the fabric, the bag needs to be folded, in a similar way as children make a paper fan. Now we fix the twine at one end of the product and begin to wrap it around the bag. The rope must be tight enough, otherwise the ornament will not appear. Depending on its tension, the pattern on the material will also change.

Next, you need to prepare the dye by diluting the pigment in water at a temperature of about 40 degrees. Carefully read the instructions from the paint manufacturer and dilute it in the right proportion. Often, along with the dye, s alt is included for fixing. It must also be carefully poured into a container of water, being careful not to inhale it, and then gently mix and immerse the material in the liquid. Press down on the fabric a little so that the dye is better absorbed, and leave for the time indicated in the instructions. Usually it is 1-3 hours.

Processing the material after staining

Now the product must be removed and wrung out. The rope can be cut or removed to be used later to decorate the same bag. We open the product and look at the result. Then, if desired, you can again dip it into the dye for a smoother color transition, or place the fabric inpigment of a different color. Depending on the time for which the material is immersed, different shades are obtained. After that, the bag must be dried, rinsed to get rid of the fixing s alt, dried again - and the product can be used.