Batik Fabric Making

Batik fabric is traditional African printed fabric made by hand using stamps and dye to make the different designs. We found a lady in Cape Coast named Agnes who works for a local NGO and has lessons for anyone who wants to learn how to make their own batik.

Our lesson started with her showing us the different ways to fold the fabric to get cool designs once we dye it, much like tie-dye but with a few variations. Then she showed us how to make different designs using stamps.

We started with about two yards of white fabric. Then we chose any stamp we wanted and how ever many we wanted to use. Some are made from wood, others cut from foam and there were also different materials like brushes and sponges that also make neat designs on the fabric. I chose elephants, suns and a square design stamp. We then dip the stamp into hot wax start to stamp the fabric. It looks and sounds much easier than it was though. The stamp will dry if we don’t use it quick enough, and it really only stamps once, then we have to go back for more wax. Also if you push too hard (especially with the foam stamps) you just end up with a big blob of wax, my batik has a few of those, gives it more character… J

Once we finish our design, we fold it the way Agnes showed us in the beginning. Then we put it in the dye, I went for a blue and green design. After the cloth soaks up enough dye we hang it out on the line to complete the dye process (the colors will change a bit and lighten up once it hangs out).

The last step in the process is to clean the wax from the cloth; this is done by dipping the fabric in boiling water. Once we finish cleaning the wax, we wring out the excess water and hang to dry again. The wax keeps any dye from getting on the fabric, so the design we made with the stamps is left white.

We were proud of our finished products, even though they were very basic compared to the fabric Agnes makes. She also sells hers at the local market, where people make clothing and other things from them.

Thanks for reading! Until next time…