Sweet Ridge Studios
Art Lab: Batik Totes
Batik is a wax-resist dyeing technique with roots in Java, Indonesia, where it has been practiced for centuries as both an art form and a cultural tradition. The process is wonderfully strange: you paint melted wax onto fabric to block the dye, creating bold, graphic patterns with that signature crackled, marbled quality that makes batik so cool. We will use this satisfying technique to dye a tote bag!
We use real batik materials here, including genuine tjanting tools and quality dyes, so you will learn the actual technique. You will have plenty of time to practice on scrap fabric before committing to your tote bag, which is good because the technique is a little tricky at first. It is also a little messy. And the melted wax smells absolutely incredible, like sweet honey bees and Summer.
The results tend to be funky, vibrant, and full of personality, and the beautiful thing about batik is that even happy accidents look intentional. You do not need to be a skilled artist to walk away with something genuinely stunning.
All materials, tools, and dyes provided. If you have something else you’d like dye, feel free to bring it, any fabric made from natural fibers will work. No experience necessary.