Batik Simbut DIY Instructions Guide

 

This is an instruction page for aNERDgallery Batik DIY Kit and it is not for further distribution without express authorisation. To purchase a kit, you may purchase calico sandwich bag kit or cotton with glass frame kit.

 

Batik Simbut is an old textile dye-resist technique using glutinous rice paste from Indonesia. This is a surface dyeing technique without dye-resist penetration like its sibling with hot wax. Hailing from the old Sundanese kingdom from West Java, this technique is gaining traction for its more environmentally friendly materials and process.

Here are the instructions to make your own batik art:

  1. Drawing patterns
  2. Transferring patterns
  3. Setting up medium
  4. Adding dye resist
  5. Adding colours
  6. Removing dye resist

For any enquiries, you may contact hello@anerdgallery.com.

Ready, set, go!

Drawing Patterns

  1. Sketch on a piece of paper of the design that you want to draw. 
  2. Trace using a black thick marker so that it is visible when transferring on to the cloth.

Note:

  • Do not draw with too many fine details in close proximity.
  • For the sandwich bag, if this is your first attempt, we recommend to limit the field to within the embroidery hoop in the centre of the bag.
  • For the cloth on wooden frame, limit the field to the box drawn on the cloth.

Transferring Patterns

 

  1. Place the paper with the drawn patterns underneath the medium that you are working on. You may need to place the paper inside the bag.
  2. Trace the pattern lightly using a pencil.

Setting up Medium

For the sandwich bag,

  1. Place the smaller circle of the embroidery hoop inside the bag.
  2. Place the bigger circle of the embroidery hoop outside the bag to overlap the smaller circle, ensuring both circles fit perfectly.
  3. Tighten the bolt until the cloth is taut.

For the photo frame,

  1. Place the cloth at the back of the photo frame.
  2. Secure the cloth onto the frame with the masking tape provided and ensure that the cloth is taut.

Adding Dye Resist

  1. Remove the string before the tip.
  2. Unwind the piping bag and push the resist until a drop of dye resist flow out of the tip.
  3. Wipe off the excess resist and the dye resist is ready to use.
  4. Like decorating a cake, push the resist out, while dragging along the tracing line.
  5. Continue until all the pencil lines are traced.
  6. Let it dry until all the resist turns transparent.

Tips:

  • Do not be discouraged if the lines are uneven. Keep on practising.
  • Hold your breath when tracing. This could help with a more steady hand.
  • Resist agent might leak out at the opening of the piping bag, push the piping tip out to further secure it and wipe off the excess resist agent.

Adding Colours

  1. After the resist is completely dried (i.e. it turns completely transparent), we can start adding colours.
  2. Shake the dyes before pouring it our into the palette.
  3. Mix in the colours in the palette. The world is yours, mix it, lighten it, darken it, colour it to your heart’s content.
  4. Paint using the brush gently, especially near to the resist line where you might accidentally break off the resist.
  5. Let the dye dry and rinse the brush for the next colours.
  6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 until all colours are completed.
  7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 for stronger shades of colour.
  8. Once everything is dry, you may add details, such as shadowing and blending of colours.

Tips:

  • Use the dropper to gauge the exact number of drops when mixing in case you ran out of dyes and need the same shades.
  • Rinse dropper and brushes in between colours to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Start with the light colours and work your way to the darker layers.
  • Push the brush and scrub the bristles onto the cloth in circular motion for a better absorption of dyes onto the cloth.

Removing Dye Resist

  1. Once all the colour is set and dry, wash the cloth in cold running tap water to remove the dye resist agent completely.

Note:

  • Do NOT wash your cloth in warm/hot water as raised temperature will wash off the dye.

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