2016 #15 Faux Batik {by Keren Baker}

2016 Topic 15: Patterns

Hi everyone Keren Baker here. Tonight I'd like to share with you this evening with a post about Faux Batik.

When I saw the Eclectica Ellen Vargo 05 set it reminded me a little of the dye resist technique for fabric called Batik.

I remember going to a craft club in a local secondary school when I was in Junior school and my Mum creating a Batik piece with layers of wax and dye. I have no idea what I created but the process of her project was fascinating. I've recreated something vaguely akin to it using a version similar to this one.

Step One: First up, create a pattern with the patterned images! This post is about pattern after all! Ellen's set is full of wonderful bold images. For the best results, you want solid images, so I chose the most solid from the set and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I went for a vague herringbone styled pattern.

Step Two: Now create lines in your cardstock (use a thinner weight card) by folding in lots of different directions. You don't need to continue a line across the whole width, change direction and go for random rather than ordered.

Step Three: Add colour. I've used a dye ink, and want to try this with Frescos too.

Step Four: Once you've completed adding colour (darker colours are definitely better, but I wanted a fresh, lighter scheme), iron the piece between some scrap paper so the embossing powder sinks into the paper and is removed from the card. You will probably need to do this a couple of times. Once you've done that, try sanding a few of the folded lines to give some contrast.

Step Five: You now have a reasonably flat piece, but it does need a decent anchor, so I adhered it to a piece of Heavy Grey/White board. I wanted to add more pattern and by using the same colours but different pattern, it didn't end up too cluttered. I used the older Eclectica {Lin Brown} Tulip die set with leaves (which some of you may have). I love how the pattern gives the impression of stamen too!

I finished the piece with a sentiment from Ink And The Dog Petals Plate 6

...in a dark blue and punched 5 small holes near the top right to help balance the design!

Hopefully you can see that the areas where the embossing was, now have strands of colour going through them. It's a cool technique and one that is more striking when using darker colours. I'd love to experiment with Frescos and see the differences that acrylic paint makes. Do have a go with this technique, I'd love to see some unusual variations. The more folds you have through the embossed images, the better, and make sure the colour is worked in well as when you remove the embossed areas, you'll only be left with the original substrate colour.

Thanks for joining me tonight!

 Keren xx 

(Twitter, IG, Pinterest @craftstampink )

Keren what a fun idea! There are so many bold stamps that could crack this technique! We could have fun making loads of Batik backgrounds with this! Thanks so much for the inspiration! ~Leandra

We would love to see how you interpret this Patterns topic by linking what you make to our 2016 Challenge #15: Patterns, on this page HERE.

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Patterns link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Aug 21st 2016. The winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.