©2007-2008 The O’Neil Sisters, All Rights Reserved
As seen in
The Wave
magazine
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
  • Crafter's Pick Batik-EZ Resist Medium, 8 ounces
  • 2 pieces lime green 100% cotton fabric, 28" x 28" (prewashed and ironed)
  • Teal Rit Dye
  • Plastic drop cloth
  • Plaid “Simply Stamps” Foam Stamps, Architectural Set
  • Kelly green thread
  • 2 pounds pillow stuffing
  • 8-ounce squeeze bottle
  • Latex gloves
  • Sponge paintbrush
  • Small paintbrush
  • Sewing machine
  • Hand sewing needle
  • Straight pins
  • Blow dryer
  • Microwave oven
  • Plastic wrap
  • Iron



WHAT TO DO
Step One
Cover your work surface with a plastic drop cloth and lay one piece of the fabric out on the surface. Using the sponge paintbrush, generously apply the Batik-EZ Resist Medium to the foam stamp. Press the stamp onto the fabric. Repeat the process with the other stamp. Saturate the paintbrush with the Resist Medium and hand paint straight stems below the flower designs. Finish the process by drying the Resist Medium completely with a blow dryer.

Step Two
To prepare for dyeing, first don the latex gloves. Put 4 teaspoons of Rit Dye into an 8-ounce squeeze bottle and fill with hot water. Shake thoroughly. Squeeze the dye onto the fabric and spread it around with your gloved hand. When the entire piece is saturated with dye, cover the fabric with plastic wrap and roll it up loosely, keeping a layer of plastic between each layer of fabric. Heat-set the dye by microwaving the wrapped fabric on high for 2 minutes. Let it cool completely, then rinse the fabric with cold water. Rub the surface while rinsing to remove all the Resist Medium. Hang the fabric to dry.

Step Three
To sew the fabric into a floor pillow, start by ironing both pieces of fabric. Pin the two pieces of fabric together on three sides. With the sewing machine, sew a straight stitch all the way around three sides and partway on the fourth side leaving a 4” gap unsewn to fill the pillow. Turn the pillow inside out and stuff with filling. Hand stitch the opening closed with a needle and thread using a hidden ladder stitch.

Boho-Chic Batik

Try this cool batik technique to make a floor pillow that is to dye for!
©The O’Neil Sisters 2008
Batik has a hip and artsy look, but this centuries-old method of painting with melted wax requires old-world patience. Try this much quicker method that uses an innovative resist medium and the microwave oven. Batik in a flash!
Sharper Image: Although this method is fast, the results are not as dramatic as traditional batik. For a crisper design, apply the Batik-EZ on both sides of the fabric.
No-Sew Tip: To skip the sewing, start with a 100% cotton pillow cover (still prewashed!). To prevent the Resist Medium from seeping through both sides of the cover, place a piece of plastic wrap between the front and back.