Batik

Batik is a fabric modification process that includes using wax as a resist agent.  Typically more than one color is used in the Batik process, with potentially different areas of the design being covered in wax to prevent that particular area from being dyed in that particular step.  There are special tools that can be used in Batik, including a metal "stamp" called a tjap.  I enjoyed testing many different ways of using a tjap, and although I have not yet perfected the technique of getting a detailed stamp of wax, the tjap still created an interesting design.  Water soluble wax in batik proved to be very difficult to use due to it's extremely slow melting process and thick wax.  This wax also melted during the first dye bath, so did not prove to be a successful resist.  Soy wax was a much easier wax to use with a faster ability to melt, easier to paint onto the fabric, and it rinsed out of the fabric with hot water.  Soy wax should be used with cold water dyes.  Fabric should be completely dried before more wax is applied to the design and dyed again.  Batik takes some time, but proves beautiful results.