The Exotic Batik Fabrics

Batik is a fabric that is traditionally used hand wax-resist dyeing technique. The word batik derived from the word 'ambatik' which translated means 'a cloth with little dots'. Batik can also come from the Javanese word "tritik" which describes a method to resist death, where the patterns are reserved on the textiles by tying and sewing areas prior to dying, even to tie dye techniques.

Javanese traditional batik, especially Yogyakarta and Surakarta, has remarkable meanings rooted in the Javanese conceptualization of the universe. The traditional colors include indigo, dark brown and white. It is linked to the fact that natural dyes are the most commonly available in indigo and brown.

Some of batik patterns can only be worn by the nobility, traditionally more stripes or wavy lines widest range indicated above. Therefore, in the ceremonies of Java, we could determine the royal lineage by a person's cloth.

Although there are thousands of different batik designs, in general, there are two categories of batik design: geometric motifs (which tend to be older models) and free-form designs, which are based on reasonable stylized natural forms or imitations of texture fabric.

Other regions of Indonesia have their own unique patterns which usually takes the themes of everyday life, with motifs like flowers, nature, animals, folklore or humans. The colors in batik Pesisir, coastal cities in the north of Java, is particularly vivid and absorbing the influence of the Javanese, Arabic, Chinese and Dutch cultures.

Bill Gates with Batik shirt 

Modern batik, although having strong ties with traditional batik, utilizes linear treatment of leaves, flowers and birds. These batiks tend to be more dependent on the designer's needs rather than rigid rules that have guided the traditional artisans. This is also evident in the use of color that modern designers use. Batik craftsmen no longer rely on traditional (natural) dyes, chemical dyes can produce any color you want to achieve. Modern batik still uses canting and cap to create intricate designs.

Fine quality handmade batik is very expensive and the production of these works is very limited. High couture designs drawn on silk are very popular among wealthy Indonesians. These pieces of exceptional quality can take months to create and costs hundreds of dollars.