Batik is a method of producing colored designs on textiles by dyeing them, having first applied wax to the parts to be left undyed.
China has been using this method since Qin dynasty, some 2000 years ago. Batiks were especially appreciated by ethnic groups in Southwest China. And this method became very popular during Tang dynasty (618 AD – 907 AD). Some ancient batik items can be seen in museums around China.
Among the batik makers, the Miao people still practice the traditional method using beeswax and natural indigo pigment today. Batik items such as clothes, table cloth, wall hangings, bed sheets, and bandanas have become a necessity of Miao’s daily living.
Genuine Batik making has no machine substitutes; all of our items are made using the traditional process and 100% handmade. The making process requires very high skill from the craftsman because they have to paint the design and apply the wax by hand. Each color from the design has to be dyed and dried separately, so a single batik item could take as long as 30 days to make. Because of the wax cover cracking during the dye process, some dye will go through the splits and form a unique pattern within the undyed area. People call it the “Ice Pattern” for it looks like the cracks in ice cubes. The patterns are like fingerprints; two same paintings will not have the same pattern. If otherwise, you can be sure that the items are not genuine batik but printed in factories.
Some of the Miao artists also apply their batik making skill to painting. We also carry the oil painting on cloth features the daily lives of the Miao.
Taking care of batik items are fairly easy:
1. If the items are wrinkled, you can use an iron set to low temperature (no steam) and iron the BACK of the item.
2. Without using any chemicals but only natural pigments, the color of the clothes and bed sheet will rub off on skin. To avoid this, soak the batik cloth in water and add salt for one hour. Rinse and repeat. Then you can wear them.
3. If the wall hangings or paintings get dirty, wipe with moist or dry cloth. For tablecloth, wash it with just water and detergent with no bleach. Hand wash is recommended.