One can find batik in many areas of the world, and although there is not a definite origin for batik in Malaysia, it has been used there for centuries. Unlike designs of the surrounding area, Malaysian batik designs are mainly of flowers and leaves. One does not see animals or humans used in Malaysian batik because animal or humans used for decoration is forbidden in the Islamic religion. Notably, Malaysian batik designs are usually fairly simple and large, making them perfect designs for children to imitate. Create your own design and make our Malaysian Batik Project.
Malaysian Batik Project Materials
- unbleached muslin
- paper for design (we used butcher paper)
- pencil
- permanent marker
- cardboard box
- X-acto knife
- tie dye dyesor batik dyes
- paint brush
- Elmer’s Washable School Glue Glue
- tape – painters tape or packing tape
- table protector
Malaysian Batik Project Directions
Before beginning this project, you must prewash the fabric to remove the sizing. Machine wash and dry. Do not use fabric softner. If necessary, iron.
When it comes time to paint, you will want to keep your design off the work surface or the dyes will seep under the glue and dye unwanted areas of your design. To prevent this, find a cardboard box that is slightly larger than the design you wish to create. Seal the box, then measure a 1 inch border around the entire top of the box. Using an X-acto knife, cut away the inside of the top and recycle. You have now created the frame for your batik.
Find designs online or in books of Malaysian Batik patterns for inspiration.
Traditional Malaysian Batik patterns are mainly flowers, leaves and some geometric designs. When drawing designs, think simple and big. Not only is this traditional, but we are using glue instead of the traditional melted wax. If designs are too small, the glue will run and the design elements will be lost.
When you are satisfied with your drawing, go over the design with permanent markers. This will make it easier to see the design under the muslin fabric.
Tape your paper design to your work surface, then tape your pre-washed muslin over the design. (Note: We did not do this in the photos but cut your muslin so you have a 2 inch border around your whole design.) You will be able to see the design through the muslin. Using your Elmer’s Washable School Glue Glue, squeeze out a glue line along all of your design marks. Start in the upper left corner working across and down to prevent your hand from smearing the wet glue. If there is some place that the glue skipped or if your line is too narrow, go back with the glue and add more. We found that we left some lines too thin. When it came time to paint, we lost some of the separations in our design. Although it still looked lovely, next time we will know to make our lines thicker.
When you have finished going over all the lines with glue, check all the lines. If any are broken or too thin, add more glue to the line.
Let the glue dry completely. It was humid when we made ours and it took a full 3 days before the glue was completely dried.
After the glue is dried, tape your fabric to the box you prepared. Tape opposite sides first, keeping the fabric taut but not pulled tightly. Tape down the other sides and the corners.
If you are using tie-dyes, pick the colors you want to use and add water as directed. (Note: You can use a watered down acrylic paints, but to make them washable and permanent, you will need to use a stabler like Folk Art Textile Medium. Follow manufacture’s directions.) Using a paint brush, begin adding color to your fabric. If you would like to shade your painting, start with the lighter colors first. Tip: Although the glue is meant to resist the paint, we found if our lines were too thin or if we applied too much dye, it softened the glue and seeped through. Try to stay only on the areas of your design that you want painted.
Add darker colors will the lighter colors are still wet. Allow to dyes to bleed.
Continuing adding more colors in the same fashion.
When you are done, allow the fabric to dry completely. Remove fabric from the box.
Rinse fabric in cold water until the water the fabric is soaking in is clear.
To remove all of the glue from the project, fill the sink with warm water and soak the fabric. Then, wash your fabric in a washing machine with an old towel. Use detergent but not fabric softner. Lie flat to dry.
You can now use the Malaysian Batik to make another project or frame!
