Wax-less Batik-Dyed Sunflower Instructions
Note: Instructions are given for wax-less batik dyeing, not for the finished projects.
Finished Project Ideas:
Sunflower Wall Hanging – Three sunflower blocks were created using Rit Dye Teal, Scarlet and Purple and stitched into a quilted wall hanging.
Tote Bag – One sunflower block was created using Rit Dye Scarlet and stitched into a quilted tote bag.
Dye Preparation:
Rit Dye is a user friendly all-purpose dye. It is available both as a powder and a liquid. The liquid dye is already mixed, and it’s more concentrated than the powder.
General Dye Mixing: Measure ½ teaspoon to one teaspoon dye (Teal used on TV demo) into a 4-Cup measuring cup. Add 2 cups very hot tap water; stir. Test color by dipping fabric strip into the dye. Color mixing rules apply – yellow and blue make green.) Add more dye for darker shades or more water for lighter shades.
Tip: Heat water in the microwave for 2 minutes, if your tap water is not very hot.
(Tap water should be 140 F.)
Preparation for Sunflower Batik:
Note: Before getting started, protect your work area with plastic.
1. Cut a 14” square of 100% cotton fabric. Wash fabric to remove any finishes or sizing before dyeing. This helps the dye penetrate the fabric.
2. Prepare Rit Yellow Liquid Dye: Measure and mix 1 teaspoon Yellow liquid dye in
1 ½ Quarts hot tap water in large 8-cup glass measuring cup.
3. Place wet fabric square in measuring cup with dye. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on High for 2 minutes.
4. Remove fabric from microwave. Rinse fabric until water is clear; launder with mild detergent, rinse and dry.
How to Create Sunflower Batik:
1. Place sheets of plastic wrap on work area, overlapping the edges to make a square slightly larger than your fabric.
2. Fold yellow square in half and half again to find the center; finger press.
3. Pour resist medium onto a paper plate.
4. Spray back of stencil lightly with a Stencil Adhesive Spray. Let dry.
5. Position Sunflower Stencil in center of fabric. Using a stencil brush, apply the Resist Medium to the open areas of the stencil, working from the center out.
6. When all areas are covered, remove the stencil. Let the resist dry for about one hour.
Painting & Microwave Dyeing:
1. Brush dye around stenciled sunflower in swirls. Work around outside edges first then do the center around the sunflower.
2. Place plastic wrap over the painted dye block. Seal edges. Then place it in the microwave and set on HIGH for 2 minutes. This increases the dye penetration and makes sure the dye migrates onto the fabric.
3. Wearing rubber gloves, remove sunflower block from microwave. (Plastic is very hot.) Remove plastic wrap and rinse in warm water until clear and then launder with mild soap to remove any excess dye. Let dry and iron.
How to Paint Details on Sunflower:
1. Place paper towel or cardboard underneath fabric to absorb the dyes.
2. Prepare Chartreuse dye color: Measure and mix ½ cup Rit Yellow liquid dye, 1 teaspoon Rit Kelly Green liquid dye and 2 cups HOT tap water. Then add 2 more cups hot water to dilute the color and achieve desired shade. Using the Chartreuse dye and a very fine brush, paint the stems and leaves on the sunflower.
3. Prepare Cocoa Brown Dye: Measure and mix 1 teaspoon dye with ½ cup very hot tap water. Using a very fine brush, paint seed dots on sunflower.
4. Let dye dry and then iron between two paper towels.
Note: Reheat dyes in the microwave if they get cold. Dyes should be hot when painting with them.
Wax-Less Batik Stamped Leaf Design
Finished Project Ideas: Pillows
1. 14” square of white cotton was dyed Chartreuse. This is a special custom color made by mixing 1/2cup Yellow Liquid dye with 1 teaspoon Kelly Green liquid dye. Add 2 cups HOT tap water, then add 1 Quart Hot tap water. Microwave on High for 2 minutes.
2. Place square on plastic wrap. Apply Resist Medium to Elm Leaf Rubber Stamp with a brush. Clean around openings with end of brush. Then press stamp on fabric, pressing firmly. Carefully remove stamp.
3. Repeat stamping until design is achieved. Resist can also be brushed onto the fabric to create lines and squiggles. Allow resist to dry.
4. Prepare dyes for painting: Ecru dye: Mix 2 teaspoons powder dye to ½ cup HOT tap water. Dark Brown dye: Mix 1 teaspoon liquid dye to 1 cup HOT tap water.
5. Paint around stamped leaves with Ecru dye. Then go over areas with Dark Brown dye, blending colors. Tip: Use small brush to paint Dark Brown dye over veins in leaves.
6. Cover dye-painted fabric with plastic wrap. Seal edges. Then place it in the microwave and set on High for 2 minutes.
6. Wearing rubber gloves, remove fabric from microwave. (Plastic is very hot.) Remove plastic wrap and rinse in warm water until clear and then launder with mild soap to remove resist and any excess dye. Let dry and iron.
7. To create a trapunto-like effect, layer batik-dyed fabric block with batting a backing fabric and outline stitch around each leaf.
8. Finish block into a pillow, as desired.
Dyeing is so much fun – no two designs are ever alike. And, there is always an element of surprise in your finished results! Visit the www.ritdye.com for more ideas.
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