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| Vlisco |
A comment from Renée reminded me that I had not explained the wax technique in my post, Wonderful Wax.
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| Vlisco |
Wax fabrics are industrial products that were originally inspired by Javanese batik. The method of making them falls under the heading of resist dyeing techniques. As in printing, an engraved roller is used to apply pattern to the fabric, but in this case, it is melted wax that is rolled on to the surface. (Traditional batik calls for a tjanting tool - a sort of pen filled with hot wax for drawing directly on the fabric.)
The fabric is then dyed and because the dye cannot be absorbed by the areas covered with wax, a negative pattern is created. The process of applying patterns of wax and dyeing can be repeated to make a design of several colors.
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| Vlisco |
The Vlisco site explains :
The core element in Wax Print is of course the wax. Using two deep engraved copper rollers, with the mirror image of the design, the two sides of the cotton fabric are printed with a pattern of melted wax, hence the name Wax Print. The fact that the cloth is printed on both sides enables you to wear the product either side. This is the true sign of a quality wax print. Following this, the cloth is immersed in a bath of dye, often Indigo, that penetrates into the areas that are not covered with wax. After the wax as been washed off in varying stages, a negative image of the printed pattern remains on the cloth. This intricate wax printing process results in unique effects that makes the product so outstanding. In fact, not one single centimetre of fabric is identical to the other!
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| Vlisco |
I usually buy my "Wax Hollandais" at Toto where these fabrics are sold by weight,
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| Vlisco |
but much greater possibilities are offered on-line.
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| Vlisco |
This post isn't an advertisement for Vlisco, but it's hard to resist the occassion to show more of their designs!
All these Op Art style patterns are from the new collection, Delicate Shades.
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