Hi everyone! My name is Missy. I’m an artist and blogger here at PBS KIDS Utah. May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, so I thought I’d teach you a (simplified) traditional Indonesian fabric dyeing method called Batik.
Supplies:
- Elmer’s Washable Gel glue
- White Cotton cloth napkins (or a tote bag, or a t-shirt, etc.)
- Fabric Spray Paint*
- Large scrap paper (newspaper, butcher paper, etc.)
*You can also use craft paint mixed + water in a small spray bottle.
Instructions:
- Draw a design on your fabric using your gel glue. You can draw shapes, zig-zags, swirls, flowers, leaves, or whatever you like. Fill the space.
- Let the glue dry (about 12 hrs).
- Take your fabric outside and lay it on the scrap paper. Make sure you are far away from the house, the car, etc.
- Spray your fabric with your fabric spray paint. You can use one color or multiple colors.
- Let the paint dry outside (2-3 hrs).
- Rinse your fabric under warm water. Rub the fabric against itself to get the gel glue to wash off.
- Wash and dry your newly dyed fabric on a gentle cycle.
Wrap-Up:
Batik is such a beautiful way of dyeing fabric! Using the gel glue in this way is called a “mask.” Wherever you put the glue is protected from being dyed. Have fun dyeing fabric and learning about Batik!
