Batik

1. Before dyeing, remove stains on the clothes. This enables to have straight color results while dyeing. Wash the prewashing item with warm and soapy water. This helps to remove all surfaces which may prevent dye absorption.

2. Spread the fabric on a flat.

3. Traditional Batik: Fold the pinch, fold or fabric to make a design. Wrap the gum bands tightly around the fabric at various points. Gum bands act as a resistance and create white areas.

4. Now it's time to form the dye bases. One to three colors can be used. Each color has its own dye liquor.

5. Cover the working place with a plastic tablecloth and use practical paper towels to protect against possible spills.

6. Fill the plastic container(s) with hot water. Water should be 60ºC ideally. If the tap water is not hot enough, heat the water in the oven and add to the dye liquor.

7. To boost the color: (1) add a glass of salt while dyeing fabrics containing cotton, rayon, ramie and linen; (2) add a glass of vinegar while dyeing fabrics containing nylon, silk or wool.

8. Add a tea spoon of dishwashing liquid to support level dyeing.

9. Dissolve Viktoria fabric dye in hot water. One package of Viktoria dye paints 200 gr fabric.

10. Wear rubber gloves. Add the prepared dye solution to dye liquor.

11. Wet the fabric.

12. If more than one color is used:

13. We recommend that begin with the lightest one.

14. It is generally best to put the primary colors contiguous to each other (red, yellow, blue) or secondary colors (orange, green, purple). They create a third, wonderful color in the areas where they are present together.

15. Add the wrapped fabric to the lightest color dye liquor. If more than one color is used, separate the fabric section of each color. The longer the fabric is in the dye liquor, the darker the colors. Please note that the fabric seems darker when wet and its color lightens as long as drying.

16. Repeat until all colors are used.

17. When the desired color is achieved, remove it from the dye liquor. Squeeze the extra dye. Do not remove the gum bands.

18. We strongly recommend that you use the Fiske Fabric Dye Stabilizer just before dyeing and before washing. It boosts color, stabilizes the dye and prevents dye from passing to white areas before bleeding. Follow these instructions.

19. Rinse in cold water till the rinse water begins to clarify.

20. Carefully remove the gum bands with a clipper and open the fabric.

21. Wash with cold water and mild detergent, then rinse and dry.

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