Glue Batik Lesson

Another of my vacation-without-children-activities was using Elmer's washable gel glue as a resist for batiking.

I was amazed at how easy the glue was to use.

I've been fascinated with this image I found on The Graphics Fairy website. . .

. . .so I drew the image onto one of my ice parfait dyed fabrics with a pencil and then proceeded to paint over it with the glue.

 The important thing with batiking is to think in reverse.  You have to remember to paint the resist wherever you want the background to show through.

 I used a paint brush to paint the glue onto the larger areas and then set it aside for an hour or two to dry.

 I then painted over the top with Imperial purple procion dye.

And I could see on the back that it was going to be GORGEOUS!

I was so excited I forgot one VERY IMPORTANT step.

I FORGOT TO PAINT OVER THE TOP WITH SODA ASH!

THE DYE WON'T STAY ON THE FABRIC WITHOUT A FIXATIVE!

I didn't remember THIS VERY IMPORTANT DETAIL until I was driving home from an errand AFTER I had thrown the piece in the washing machine.

This is my finished piece.

I was so sad I almost cried.

All that work gone!

The image is still faintly there.  

I am not totally discouraged because using the glue was SO EASY! 

The gel glue worked so well as a resist and washed out without a problem.  

I know I will be using it again!