BATIK of Javanese [Indonesian] origin is melted wax applied to cotton cloth. In Yogyakarta, I watched fascinated as traditional designs were traced with great skill and fluidity - wherever the wax seeps through, the dye does not penetrate. The cloth is dipped in dye several times then is submerged in a solvent that dissolves the wax. Traditional dyes are Black walnut, Bloodroot, Brazilin, Cochineal, Cudbear, Cutch, Fustic, Henna, Indigo, Madder, Saffron, Turmeric and Tyrian purple. Young…
