Malaysian Batik: Reinventing a Tradition, traces the history of batik, the materials, methods and motifs of the block-stamped and hand drawn methods, and the ways in which Malaysian batik has been transformed into a craft with international appeal. Batik is more than wax and dye applied to a length of cloth. It is an art form practiced by people around Asia. With its its bolder, abstract designs and its brighter palette, Malaysian batik is a distinctly different type of batik that has brought an exciting new dimension to this ancient method of fabric art. Historically seen as a craft, batik making in Malaysia today has segued into more of an art form, both in its creation and its uses. Historically, batik fabric was fashioned into sarongs to be worn by people across all walks of life. More often now batik fabrics are used for lifestyle products, as art pieces and, above all, for contemporary high fashion. The pieces that are created display an originality of composition and design, an effective use of color, a high level of technical expertise and a flair for working in the medium that are the hallmarks of great works of art. Many of the recent advances in Malaysian batik are due to the initiatives of the Yayasan Budi Penyayang, which has revitalized the Malaysian batik industry by adapting it to suit fashion needs and utilized the Asian fashion industry to promote and display its beauty.

Given in honor of Regan Grace Swartzlander by John Palmer.

The word ’batik’ is possibly of Malay origin from the word ’tik’ meaning ’to drip’ or ’to drop.’ The term is applied to a resist dye technique invented independently in locations as diverse as Ancient Egypt, Japan and Turkestan. Batik is a remarkably flexible textile technique and is suited to small-scale methods of production, but demand from the fashion and tourism industries is increasing. This volume brings together the experiences and concerns of the international community of batik producers. It gives voice to their suggestions for ensuring that the producers of this traditional craft are integrated into its increasingly global production rather than excluded from it. Building on the work of batik designers and producers the book discusses the emergence of a global craft consciousness. Batik producers report on innovative measures taken both individually and collectively to hold their market position while commercial producers frequently annex and mass-produce traditional batik design. The book concludes with a discussion of marketing and production innovations and tourism which enable the producers of batik to maintain the integrity of their designs whilst harnessing the benefits of new commercial forms.

A comprehensive and richly illustrated survey of batik, a glorious textile art and popular Indonesian cloth.

Batik occupies a special place in Indonesian culture. Each fabric has a rich story to tell--as a reflection of the nation's religious beliefs, sophisticated court cultures and cosmopolitan history. The extraordinary textiles in this book are from the collections of Rudolf Smend and Donald Harper. Most date from the period 1880 to 1930 when the art of batik reached its apogee. Having collected historical batik for over thirty years and published two books on the subject, Rudolf Smend has invited his friend and fellow batik specialist Donald Harper to contribute his fine collection to this publication as well. None of the batik in this book have been published before. They represent an exquisite cross-section of the batik production of Java--the most important batik-producing region in the world. The cloths are complemented by vintage photographs from the first quarter of the 20th century demonstrating how the batik were worn at court and at home. Three are from museums in Dresden and Cologne, while three are from the private collection of Leo Haks. The others have been collected over the past 30 years from private sources in Java. The captions are by Maria Wronska-Friend, an ethnologist and batik expert who frequently visits Indonesian batik centers and has worked for many years as an anthropologist in Papua New Guinea. Her contributions provide fundamental knowledge for lovers of this art form while at the same time providing new insights for experts. Rudolf Smend has invited other batik aficionados of his generation to share their passion for batik in this book. Inger McCabe Elliott, author of the bestselling Batik: Fabled Cloth of Java has contributed her lifelong experience. Other authorities like Annegret Haake, Brigitte Khan Majlis and Jonathan Hope share their views and expertise in these pages. This book represents a labor of love and a lifetime of friendship for the two authors, who hope it will provide inspiration to a whole new generation of batik lovers.

A reference guide to all you need to know to dye fabric, including necessary tools, the best dyes, which fabrics to use, additives, precautions, and more. Dyeing expert and author of Fabric Dyer’s Dictionary, Linda Johansen offers a full overview of the process, including special tips and techniques for tricky colors. The compact size is perfect to take along to a class or to the fabric store to match complementary fabrics and materials. And the hidden wire-o binding will allow the guide to lay flat next to your work surface for easy reference. Dyeing is addictive! You’ll come back to this must-have guide over and over Complete and easy-to-follow recipes for every shade and hue for each color of the spectrum Includes directions for Dharma and ProChemical dyes

In this comprehensive, generously illustrated handbook, textile artist and teacher Nancy Belfer leads readers step by step through the technique required to successfully create imaginative and beautiful batiks and tie-dyed textiles. Even beginners, following the instructions in this thorough, thoughtful guidebook, can create colorful and exciting textiles that will add distinctive touches to clothing, home furnishings, and more. The author first reviews the early uses of dyes and the application of resist dye processes to textiles, then explores the history and tradition of batik, emphasizing the traditional Javanese batik method. She then covers every facet of the process of designing and making batiks, from selecting proper equipment and supplies, setting up a studio and making preliminary drawings and sketches to preparing the wax, applying the wax to cloth, applying dyes, and setting color. Ms. Belfer follows a similar format in reviewing the history and traditions of tie dye and the art of designing with tie resist techniques, clearly demonstrating each stage of the process, including tritik, clamping, and discharge methods. Over 100 photographs and 28 diagrams make it easy to follow the various procedures. A helpful list of materials and equipment suppliers rounds out this excellent guide.

From one of the top batik dealers in the world, this book features over 70 pieces from the late 19th & early 20th centuries