Batik and Other Pattern Dyeing

Baker, Walter DavisProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 105K words
Chapters: 11

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Batik and Other Pattern Dyeing by Ida Strawn Baker and Walter Davis BakerAuthor: Baker, Walter Davis,Language: English, Class: NK: Fine Arts: Decorative and Applied Arts, Decoration and Ornament, Release Date: Aug 30, 2015

Editor's review

This is a practical craft book on batik and other pattern-dyeing techniques, co-authored by Ida Strawn Baker and Walter Davis Baker and made available as a free ebook by Project Gutenberg. Centered on the principle of resist dyeing, it explains how patterns are formed on fabric using wax or other resist materials, and covers operational approaches to a range of pattern-dyeing methods. Its value lies not in a catalogue of polished finished pieces but in clearly explaining the process steps, materials, and principles, making it suitable as an introductory reference for hand dyeing and textile crafts. It is best read alongside hands-on practice: test resist effects on small fabric swatches first, then gradually increase pattern complexity. Note that some materials and tools reflect the era in which the book was written; in actual practice, adjust them according to current safety standards and available materials.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Craft enthusiasts interested in batik and resist-dyeing techniques
Textile learners who want to understand the principles and steps of traditional pattern dyeing
Teachers in art or design education who need craft reference materials

Not a good fit for

Readers who only want to browse a catalogue of finished pieces and do not plan to practice
Readers expecting modern industrial dyeing formulas and the latest equipment
Complete beginners who need strict safety operating guidance

Reading tips

Read the section on resist principles first, then prepare small test samples according to the materials list.
Follow the book's steps to practice on small fabric swatches, recording differences in wax temperature and dyeing results.
When replacing the book's older materials with readily available modern ones, verify with small samples first.
Ensure ventilation and protection during dyeing, and read in conjunction with current safety instructions.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for someone with no dyeing experience at all?

The book starts from principles and basic steps, so complete beginners can use it to understand the process. However, dyeing involves practical operations such as heating, dyes, and protective measures. It is advisable to start after receiving guidance from someone experienced or fully understanding safety standards, and to treat this book as a reference on principles rather than the sole operating manual.

Are the materials in the book still available today?

Some materials and tools in the book bear the marks of their time and may not be obtainable as originally specified today. Readers can rely on its resist-dyeing principles, choose commonly available modern waxes, dyes, and fabrics as substitutes, verify results with small samples first, and then adjust formulas and steps according to the book's approach.

How can I combine reading the ebook with practice?

Read through the steps first and note down key ratios and the order of operations so you do not have to scroll frequently while working. You can also print the relevant chapters and place them beside your workbench, referring to them as you go, and record the actual results and how they differ from the book's descriptions once finished.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Baker, Walter Davis Author

Walter Davis Baker is an author about whom little biographical information is available; his nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not reliably recorded, and public sources are limited. What can be confirmed is his connection to the craft field of batik and patterned fabric dyeing, attested by a single work titled Batik and Other Pattern Dyeing. The title indicates that the book addresses batik techniques together with other resist-dyeing and pattern-printing methods, placing it within practical handicraft writing. Books of this kind generally center on step-by-step processes, materials, and pattern making, with clear and orderly language that allows readers to follow the procedures themselves. Although further evidence about Baker's life and writing style is lacking, this work still offers Chinese readers a useful textual entry point for studying the early transmission of batik and hand dyeing techniques.