Know Everything about Batik Fabric

Know Everything about Batik Fabric

For centuries, batik fabric has been in the industry, but still many people don't know about it. As a result, they fail to use this versatile fabric in different sewing projects. Even many fashion enthusiasts don't use the fabric. 

 

The fabric is a symbol of sophistication and tradition. So, if you are planning to buy batik fabric online or at stores, know about this beautiful fabric. This will help you make the right choice. 

 

Batik fabric- what it is and how it is made

Usually, batik is used to create long saris and other traditional garments because it's a dyed fabric. The designs are very intricate, showing the hard work of the designer. The batik fabric is made from 100% cotton or 100% rayon. The fabric is delicate so it requires a gentle wash and is air-dried to avoid any damage. 

 

Two common methods to create batik fabric are wax-resistant dyeing and salt dye technique. In the wax-resistant dyeing technique, artists use liquid wax in a tool that has a spout. They drop wax from the spout and draw patterns on the fabric. After the design is complete, the material is dyed, and when the color is set, the wax is removed with boiling water. 

 

In the salt dye technique, artists place salt into the fabric. Salt sucks the liquid dye towards it. They then pull the fabric, creating color streaks.  The results are unpredictable but beautiful if everything goes right. 

 

Batik patterns and designs and their importance 

Parang- It resembles a knife or dagger, symbolizing power, protection, and bravery. 

Kawung- It features four circles in a diamond shape, representing fertility, wealth, and prosperity. 

Ceplox- It is characterized by intricate geometrical motifs, representing harmony and balance. 

 

These are some of the popular conventional batik designs. Today, batik makers experiment with modern designs and motifs. They incorporate elements from nature, animals, and everyday life, attracting a younger generation. 

 

Types of batik fabrics

Indonesian batiks 

It's the most renowned and popular batik type because of its rich designs and forms. In this type, there are a variety of formations, such as Indland, Costal, Sundanese, Sumatran, and Balinese. These varieties are different in terms of style and appearance. 

 

Malaysian batik 

It's very different from the batiks produced in Java, an island in Indonesia. The difference is that artists use a brush to apply color instead of immersing dyes. The final Malaysian batik products are bold light-colored with more substantial and less intricate designs. The designs include flowers and vegetation with no animal representations.

 

African batik 

African batik is significantly debatable because of its origin. Today, Nigeria has one of the highest manufacturers of batik in Africa. The artists here use age-old resistance dying methods. There is also a Mali tribe that uses mud resistance to produce batiks.  

 

Chinese batik 

This batik type isn't conventional. In today's modern era, the Chinese batik came into the picture. There is an ethnic group in Southwest China that is responsible for producing the Chinese batik.  This particular batik type is used for making decorative items. 

 

Closing Lines 

We hope you have got a better idea about batik fabric from this post. Use this knowledge and place an order for batik fabric online at Platinum So n Sews. 

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