Resist dyeing is a wonderful textile art with centuries-old tradition in various civilizations. It blocks colorant from accessing some areas of the fabric, resulting in detailed patterns. Tie-dye, Shibori,Bandhani, and batik are some of its examples that use natural colors and complex motifs.

 

👉 Tie-dye (shibori, bandhani）

 

👉 Batik

Batik making dates back to over a millennium ago but early instances of its craft can be found in Middle East, China, India and ancient Egypt.
Today, batik has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage craft.

There are two primary methods used in batik handicraft:
1. hand-drawn (batik tulis); 2. stamped (batik cap).

In batik tulis method, artisans use pen-like tool called canting, to dip into a pot of melted wax and draw intricate patterns on the fabric by wax liquid. This technique calls for mastery and accuracy as the wax has to be consistently and precisely applied. Every piece of batik tulis reflects the artist’s flair and skill.

The wax cracks during handling, the cracks in the wax allow the dye to reach the fabric creating the unique batik effect. It's called a "ice crackling". "ice crackling" is considered to be a hallmark of traditional batik techniques. People often see the "ice crackling" as an important part of its beauty and appeal.

 

Batik cap involves using metal stamps, called caps, to imprint wax to the fabric. It is faster than hand drawing hence more quantities of batik can be produced in much less time. Since it does not require laborious skill or time it is considered less prestigious than its counterpart, Batik tulis which involves very high level of craftsmanship.

 

 👉 Paste Dyeing

Paste dyeing is a traditional way to create patterns on fabric. A template is placed on the fabric, and paste is applied to block certain areas. The fabric is then dyed, and the paste is washed off to reveal the design.

This technique is widely used to create fabrics with intricate patterns, especially in traditional East Asian dyeing arts like China's blue printed fabric and Japan's traditional dyed textiles.

Steps in Paste Dyeing:
    Stencil Creation: Draw a design on a 0.4-1mm thick stencil (cardboard or plastic). Cut out hollow areas. or use ready-made stencils.
    Prepare Paste:
    Soybean Paste: Mix lime and soybean flour (1:1).
    Rice Paste: Mix glutinous rice and bran (1:1), add water and steam.
    Apply Paste: Place the stencil on fabric and apply paste to hollow areas. Let it dry completely.
    Dyeing: Immerse fabric in dye. Covered areas stay undyed.
    Wash & Reveal: Wash off the paste to reveal the pattern.

 

Our Natural Dye Methods

Plants, minerals, and other organic materials are the sources of natural dyes. Here are some common natural dyes used in resist dyeing:

1. Indigo
   

   • Source: Indigofera tinctoria plant.
   • Preparation: Leaves are soaked in water and fermented to produce a blue dye. The fabric is repeatedly dipped into the dye and exposed to air where oxidation takes place to achieve desired shade of blue.

2. Madder
   

   • Source: Roots of the Rubia tinctorum plant.
   • Preparation: Roots are dried, ground, and boiled in order to obtain a red dye. The fabric is soaked in this dye to achieve rich reds and pinks.

3. Turmeric

   • Source: Rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant.
   • Preparation: Rhizomes are dried, ground, and boiled to produce a bright yellow dye. The fabrics are then soaked into it for them to attain the attractive hue.

4. Kakishibu

   • Source: Unripe persimmons.
   • Preparation: Juice from unripe persimmons undergoes fermentation for several months. The resulting dye produces shades of brown and is used both as a dye and a wood stain.

 

Overall, resist dying is considered as invaluable world heritage that that has enthralled creators and fans alike with its captivating patterns and cultural significance.It is still revered as a symbol of the elegance and inventiveness of traditional textile arts.

 

👉 Explore our hand-dyed creations!