Laura Stacy

Laura Stacy

Fiber [Birmingham, AL]

Batik (ba teek’) is an ancient method of color dyeing and has been both an art and a craft for centuries. It is still common today in several regions of Africa, India and Indonesia.

In batik the artist sketches a design onto natural fiber cloth. Wax is then placed in specific areas on the fabric using a tjanting (jaunting) tool. The wax acts like a barrier and allows the remaining non-waxed fabric to absorb dye that is applied.

A design is built up color by color using a sequence of wax, dye, rinse, dry.

The process is repeated over and over, building up the many colors used for each design.

Finally, when the process is complete, the wax is removed.

What remains is a piece of fabric with a design locked into the fibers.

The wax can be removed and re-applied several times to make beautiful and intricate patterns. 

I studied textile design at Auburn University. I am a jurried member of Alabama Designer Craftsmen.

With thirty years of experience in this field, batik for me is a creative adventure with endless design possibility.