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    Home » DIY Projects

    Batik Fabric Art with Glue Creates a Beautiful Wall Hanging

    September 21, 2021 by Patti Estep 14 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Batik wall hanging over leaves on napkin and purple glue outline.
    Blue batik leaf wall hanging
    Blue batik wall hanging.

    Batik fabric art is simple to create using glue and craft paint. Follow this simple tutorial to make this relief technique into a beautiful wall hanging.

    Batik wall hanging

    Batik Fabric Art Wall Hanging

    As a child of the seventies, I'm continually surprised by how many techniques I see coming back in style. Have you noticed all the macrame hanging planters? At the salon, you will probably see someone having a balayage treatment, and tie-dying is being used to create a myriad of projects. Another throwback, similar to tie-dye or "Shibori" is batik fabric art. 

    Traditionally this technique was performed by painting wax on fabric and then dying the fabric with indigo dye. The result is beautiful. However, it is time-consuming and very messy. I wanted to try a similar technique which uses glue instead of wax, and simple fabric or craft paints to create a pretty wall hanging.

    Batik fabric art materials and supplies.

    Supplies

    Cotton fabric or Napkins
    Colored Elmer's Glue
    Craft or Fabric Paint
    Wooden dowel or rod
    Ribbon or wire

    Leaf pattern arrangement.

    I thought about using leaves from the garden to make the design, similar to the leaf print drop cloth pillows I made for the porch last year.

    Instead, I traced a circle of leaves with a marking pencil and used the outlines as a guide making a simple pattern.

    Batik fabric art using purple liquid glue for the pattern.

    The purple glue makes it easy to see your design, and all I did was draw over the outlined leaves, drew in some veins, and added a few swirls and dots.

    Dried glue pattern on fabric.

    Let the glue dry completely. It will turn white and feel dry to the touch.

    Blue paint on top of glue pattern.

    Then paint over your pattern with craft or fabric paint. Since this is a simple wall hanging I used regular craft paint. If you want to be able to wash the design, I would suggest using fabric paints.

    Painted fabric with glue batik print.

    Next you can rinse out the paint in the sink, or let it sit longer for a more saturated look. I was going for a washed-out antique look, so I rinsed it out pretty quickly.

    Adding a hanging dowel rod in hem of napkin for wall hanging.

    The napkin I was using had a nice hem, large enough to slip a wood dowel into for hanging.

    Batik fabric art hanging on the wall.

    You can buy indigo dye kits online if you want to go the traditional route. Beeswax is supposedly better for writing, and then you will need to iron the wax off the fabric, using paper on top to absorb the wax.

    However, this batik fabric art wall hanging method was a simple process, and I love the way it turned out.

    Patti signature

    More Fabric Crafts

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    Batik art with glue wall hanging.
    Print

    Batik Fabric Art with Glue

    Batik fabric art is simple to create using glue and craft paint. Follow this simple tutorial to make this relief technique into a beautiful wall hanging.
    Active Time30 mins
    Additional Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 30 mins
    Course: Crafts
    Yield: 1
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $10

    Equipment

    • pencil
    • Paintbrush
    • scissors

    Materials

    • Cotton fabric or Napkins
    • Colored Elmer's Glue
    • Craft or Fabric Paint
    • Wooden dowel or rod
    • Ribbon or wire

    Instructions

    • Trace a circle of leaves with a marking pencil and use the outlines as a guide making a simple pattern.
    • Use colored glue to go over the outlined leaves. Then add some veins, and a few swirls and dots.
    • Let the glue dry completely. It will turn white and feel dry to the touch.
    • Then paint over the entire piece with craft or fabric paint.
    • Next, you can rinse out the paint in the sink, or let it sit longer for a more saturated look.
    • To hang, slip a dowel rod into the hem of the napkin and attach a ribbon or twine.

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy Hardess

      August 24, 2017 at 7:58 am

      I know that my grandma has told me about this technique at some point, but I have never used it. It really sounds difficult if you're using wax, but what you have managed to achieve really looks impressive. It is simple, yet it is a nice wall art that you can hang anywhere and everywhere.
      Thank you, this has really made me very curious. Will try sometime soon.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 24, 2017 at 8:22 am

        Hi Kathy,

        Yes, this method is very do-able. I try to create things that inspire others in a way that isn't too costly, time consuming or difficult. I'm so glad you like it and I hope you get a chance to try it soon.

        Reply
    2. Maria Brittis

      August 16, 2017 at 12:06 pm

      I am in love with this color, what a pretty shade. This is a great project since i have lots of fabric that would be perfect for this.
      Maria

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 16, 2017 at 12:52 pm

        Hi Maria,

        I'm so glad you liked it and I hope you do try this fun craft soon.

        Reply
    3. Barbara Chapman ~ French Ethereal

      August 16, 2017 at 11:50 am

      Your batik hanging turned out great! I've been sooo drawn to indigo this year in clothes, china and fabrics in general. Really like your hanging! Thank you for all the tips about using purple glue or wax to create the patterns. I haven't done anything like that before. Saved to my Crafts to Make board on Pinterest and will share. <3

      Barb 🙂

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 16, 2017 at 12:53 pm

        Hi Barbara,

        I know what you mean about that indigo color. It is so rich and pretty but I just couldn't find the time to deal with the process. Maybe one day soon. Thanks for the kind words and sharing.

        Reply
    4. Mary

      August 15, 2017 at 1:59 pm

      That is very pretty Patti. Thanks for the lovely tutorial.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 15, 2017 at 2:01 pm

        Hi Mary,

        So glad you like it!

        Reply
    5. FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks

      August 14, 2017 at 10:13 pm

      That looks good Patti. I have noticed "old" techniques are coming round again...sometimes with a new twist, sometimes the same. The "old" techniques were probably "old" before that. Your batik art is quite striking with the leaf designs.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 15, 2017 at 7:20 am

        Hi Florence,

        Too funny but you know, some oldies are often goodies so I guess that's why they come back around. I'm so glad you like my leaf design. Always trying to keep it simple.

        Reply
    6. Meegan Fast

      August 14, 2017 at 3:43 pm

      Patti, I haven't ever tried anything like this. Your idea and project are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 15, 2017 at 7:21 am

        Hi Meegan,

        I'm so glad you like it. It was easy and fun. My kind of project.

        Reply
    7. Carole West

      August 10, 2017 at 9:14 am

      I do remember making these in school using the wax, it's interesting how things come and go from one time frame to another. This is a neat one offering many possibilities. I like how you brought in pieces of nature to create your pattern that makes this a one of a kind.. Very pretty!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 10, 2017 at 4:02 pm

        Thanks Carole. It really is funny how all things old are new again.

        Reply

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