Batiking Workshop – An introduction to the wonderful world of fabric dying with Jeremy, Justin, Lauren and Louis on July 29th in Cape Coast
CLASSROOM AND INSTRUCTOR
We met our very capable instructor, Mary at the bank and she walked us up the street and around the corner to her classroom which was no more than a shed filled with everything needed to produce beautiful designs on cloth.
DIES AND WAX
Bob gets to know Mary’s nephew and assistant while Mary gets set up to begin class. Our first challenge was to choose a die.
EAGER STUDENTS
Jeremy, Justin, Lauren and Louis wait in anticipation.
MOLTEN WAX AND WOODEN DIES
Jeremy went first, with the intention of creating a pattern of orderly randomness. Mary heated the wax in a metal bowl over charcoal. The candle wax is colored so we can keep track of the pattern on the white cotton cloth she provided.
WHOLE LOT OF STAMPING GOING ON
Lauren chose two dies and ever the engineer, created an orderly design that was pleasing to the eye. Justin used a pointed sponge to draw his signature duck. He affirms that someday he will have ducks.
COOKIE’S TURN
With an audience.
THIS WHEN THE DYING BEGINS
Mary began dying the fabric before the stamping was done. Bob went last, demonstrating a firm hand.
SUN DRYER AND WAX REMOVAL BATH
Louis watches as Mary’s helpers lay his piece of purple fabric on the ground to dry. Mary’s nephew takes a piece of dried cloth and dips it in hot water to remove the wax.
FINAL DRY
After the hot water bath, our little works of art were hung outside to dry on the line. We liked how nicely Jeremy’s design went from order to randomness. Bob’s green piece is still lying on the ground while one of the girls rubs residual wax from Camille’s blue fabric.
FUN WITH THE NEW CAMERA
Louis is leaving the country soon and asked Camille if she would like to take care of his Nikon D60. Of course! she said and began playing Cookie Cub Photographer straight away. The young ladies who assisted with the workshop were willing subjects.
MORE WILLING SUBJECTS
Well, sort of. The chicken was just passing through and got caught in the lens.
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