This is a great way to make your own brightly colored batik fabric using crayons! A vintage craft come to life!
I’m always looking through my vintage craft magazines for fresh ideas, and every now and then I pick one and run with it. As a quilter, I’ve always had a preference for batik fabrics. I love the vibrant colors! Well, if you have been following my blog for any time, you probably already know that I love me some color. And the idea of using a resist to block color in areas is something that I love doing with my Ukrainian eggs. So, a mix of color and resist dyeing with crayons just seemed right up my alley.
Now before I go any further, I’m betting there was probably an easier way to do this. But I will tell you how I did it, using my instructions that came from a 1956 Workbasket magazine and a few edits thrown in from me when I ran across some minor roadblocks.
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For this project I used:
Several boxes of crayons from the dollar store
100% Cotton fabric (light color)
Fabric Spray Dye (black)
Black Fabric Pen
Cheap paintbrushes
Muffin Tin
Deep Dish Griddle
Newspaper
Iron
First, I cut the light fabric into two 12” squares. I wanted a colorful town street scene, so I drew in pencil the basic design that I wanted.
Okay, now we get into where I had to do some edits on my instructions. The original instructions called for melting the crayons in little cups that you make out of aluminum foil and floating them in a pan of boiling water. I instead used a deep dish griddle, added water to it and floated the muffin tin in it. Keeping the water at a simmer, it allowed the crayons to stay melted in a make-shift double boiler.
They took about 5 minutes to melt. Don’t worry- it doesn’t stink up the kitchen. Actually, this part was rather easy to do. *Edit: One of my readers suggested using candle melting plates which might work even better to keep the wax melted while painting.
Lay your fabric on aluminum foil to prevent the wax from going through to your counter. Start a small pan of boiling water to use to clean your brushes as you go. I used very inexpensive brushes for this project as I was planning to throw them away afterward.
Dip your brush in the melted wax and then start painting away! (Suggested clean up for this part of the project- I threw away the brushes, and the hardened wax was easy to pop out of the muffin tin for future use. Any residue in the pan can be re-melted in the oven for a minute or two and then wiped away). Do not pour hot wax down your drain!
Once the entire piece of fabric is covered with colored wax, it is ready for the next step- adding dye. Take each piece of wax covered fabric and wad them up in a ball, creating many tiny cracks in the wax.
The instructions called for cold water dye with good reason. If you added this to hot water- all your wax would melt! Unfortunately, the only dye that I could find that did not call for hot water was spray dye that I found at my local craft store. No problem. I simply laid the pieces of fabric out on trash bags and then sprayed the crap out of them with the spray dye. I then patted them down with paper towels to get off the extra dye and let them dry overnight.
They looked terrible at this point and I was a bit worried. But I had faith.
The next step is to lay them between two pieces of newspaper and using an iron set at the highest setting, begin to iron out the wax. You will have to change the newspaper quite often, and I’m not gonna lie, this took a while. I went through an entire Sunday paper on this project.
But look at the result! Wow!
My final step on the batik design was to add a few details with a black fabric pen.
I made mine into pretty city pillows to put on my guest bed, but you can do anything with this batik fabric that you might do with regular fabric. Quilts, tablecloths, dresses, table runners, whatever. In fact, it would probably make awesome Christmas pillows using a Christmas design.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, you might enjoy my Flip Flop Pillow tutorial. How to create a whimsical pillow that will give a room a summery look.
Or check out my Ukrainian egg tutorial- another method of batik that creates a very detailed look, using beeswax as the resist and dye, you can create amazing egg art.
For more than 100 detailed craft tutorials for all ages, be sure to visit my tutorial page.
{ 137 comments… read them below or add one }
Great idea! I would like to try this out as a summer camp project with 9 – 12 year old children but have a question – how do you get the black dye out finally? Do you have to wash it out, or does it come off when you iron it? Please let me know. Thanks.
Hi Lalitha,
Most of the black dye sits on top of the crayon, so when you iron it, it will come off onto the newspapers, leaving only the small lines of dye on the fabric as permanent. Remember that lots of ironing is involved.
Hope that helps. Would love to see your finished projects!
That was a very interesting tutorial. I do watercolour batik on batik rice paper and really like working with it. You can find some of my paintings here http://www.janiscox.com/gallery-for-janis-cox/
I would love to try this on fabric. I wonder if I used my watercolour paints, and then the wax – would the wax protect the fabric or would it melt off? I assume that your batik pillow cushions are not washable?
Blesssings and great to meet you. Found you on PInterest.
Janis
Love the turtle! You do amazing work!! In fact, I would love to feature you sometime!
I’m not sure how watercolor and fabric might work together. You may have to experiment. The pillows that I made are definitely washable, but cold water wash is best otherwise the colors fade.
Let me know if you decide to experiment!
Thank you very much for your kind words and encouragement. Now that I think about it I am sure I would have to use fabric paints to do batik on fabric.
But I will continue batik on the rice paper.
Blessings,
Janis
I watched a batiker work at a show once and she had her muffin tins in an electric skillet on a low heat to keep thing liquid
The batik looks wonderful! I’ve been on a quilting and fabric hiatus for the oh…last eight years or so but just.bought more fabric today!!!
I know there are crayons that are intended for fabrics wondering bout giving those a try-also to get wax outta the tins just try putting it in the freezer!
Will have to try your methods!thanks
Hi Marilyn!
Thanks for the freezer tip! I am planning on revisiting this project in the near future. I purchased a deep griddle that I can add water to, use as a double boiler, and keep my tin of crayons melted while I work.
Let me know if you decide to try it, and be sure to send me a picture! I’d love to see it!
In school our tins were kept warm in an electric skillet, with a 1/2 inch of water…not good for little children, but fine for the older & the “grown ups”
Your batik ideas are really fun!
I wonder if after you melted the crayons in the muffin tin, couldn’t you keep it warm or melted on a heating pad set on the hottest setting? Just an idea. Thanks for sharing. Really great idea.
Just saw your batik fabric on Pinterest. These are so beautiful! Thank you for the tutorial!
I love these batiks. The finished effect is fantastic. On the subject of the crayons, however, I recently repinned someone’s tutorial (sorry – can’t remember their name!) on melting smashed up crayons in SILICONE muffin moulds. With this method, the silicone has 2 really good advantages: it can withstand really high temperatures, and is also bendy – so it’s really easy to get the wax out once it’s set. (The original idea was to make your own heart-shaped ‘rainbow’ crayons, as a heart-shaped muffin mould was used with different coloured crayon pieces put into each individual mould. I did wonder if you could turn them into candles, too, if you put a wick in the bottom. I intend to try this, too!)
This is just awesome.. Making batik fabric from crayons.. Creative idea.. I would love to try that.. thanks for sharing this awesome informations
What a creative idea about making batik craft for kids.. It’s just beautiful. Thanks for sharing..
Holy Crayola .. I love this, I am an artist, this is a new “medium” I can’t wait to try it. Thank you for “teaching”. iliil
holymoly. this is awesome! I am going to do this with my MS and HS art classes this year! FULLY AWESOME. Thanks for the tutorial.
Hi Laura!
I’d love to see photos when you do! I bet you will get some awesome art. Regarding melting the crayons, I have since discovered that it is much easier to use a deep griddle, large enough to fit your muffin tin in. Simply add water to the griddle creating a double boiler, and float your muffin tin. Keep the water at a simmer and the crayons will melt quickly and stay melted while you work with them.
Let me know how it goes!
suzy
Love, love this! On my “gotta make” list!
WOW, I really enjoyed reading your post, this is something pretty cool and I will surely try it out. Thanks for sharing such an interesting idea.
xoxo
These are just amazing! Can’t wait to try this batik technique. Really appreciate your honesty as you went thru the steps!
Wow. I love your batik and will try this with my groups. Thanks
I did this in my highschool art class and it was a blast. I was trying to remember the process and you captured it just the way I remember. The only note I would add is that we used one of those plug in double burner units and put a metal rectular cake pan with water on top and then put the muffin tin on top of that with the little cup parts down in the water to heat to the wax. This way it stays hot while you work. I know it could be impractical to to buy this if you are just doing one project, but it might work on some stove tops too if you can work close to the stove.
I have the same question as Kathleen; do you need the cold water dye? Don’t the crayons provide the dye when you remove the wax from them?
Hi Alex!
The cold water dye is to create the fine black lines that make it look batik. Yes, the crayons dye the fabric and that is what creates the bright colors. I have had a couple readers use crayons only and had great results, but theirs did not have the crackle effect. It is all in what you want it to look like. Thanks so much for stopping by!!
where did you find the spray cold water fabrik dye? i live in canada, and cannot find a dye in my town. what brand did you use and can i order it online?
thanks, Anna
Hi Anna! I used Tulip Brand Spray Fabric Paint. I bought it at our local craft store called, Michael’s. You can get it on line at places like Amazon.com. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=tulip+spray+fabric+paint&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=681&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4660910668518753844&sa=X&ei=3vm8T8OvIcmZgwfYw_iIDw&ved=0CMABEPMCMAE
Hope that helps! Let me know how your project turns out!
suzy
I did this in high school and used an electric skillet with water in it and mason jars. In fact I still have mason jars full of dried wax in my art box. But it keeps the wax all melted and allows for easy peasy cleanup. Try it!
This is so cool! I really want to try this.
What about using a griddle to keep the crayon paint warm?
Hi Kelly,
I’m about to try this project again and using a griddle is on my list. Thanks!
suzy
I did use the electric skillet and it worked out well. I lined the muffin tins with aluminum cupcake liners. I think the best temp to keep the wax melted was about 250. This thing looked so terrible when I was working on it that I really had my doubts. (I am not a talented artist…) They turned out really nicely. My daughter used yellow and orange for an elephant and it looked more vibrant and lovely than the one I made. I made a green octopus in a blue ocean and it turned out well, but I would choose more bright/contrasting colors in the future.
That’s what I use for such projects- a griddle. I actually found one for less than $20. at the grocery store! I’ve never done this batik project though. It’s beautiful! I’m color crazy so this caught my eye immediately! Thanks so much for sharing it. I’m happy to have found your wonderful blog! I feel like I found a treasure chest!
My daughter (age 9) and I just had a go at this tutorial. Fantastic.
Looking good so far… just got to break out the newspaper.
I’m impressed. I was just going to add an idea. If using the muffin tin, set it down inside a 13×9 baking pan with water in the bottom before heating. It will take longer to heat in the beginning but the it will stay hot and melted longer.
WOW!!!! Do you think this would work on sheers? I have a bay window that the sun shines through, and do not want to completely block the sun.
thanks
If your sheer curtains are a natural (like cotton) material, it should work. Polyester doesn’t dye well, so I don’t think it will.
Absolutely beautiful!! I’ve gotta try this. Thanks for the tut.
This is just wonderful. I just found your blog and am amazed at all the great ideas and tutorials! Do you think watered down paint would work as well as the dye?
I absolutely LOOOOVE this project, Suzy (just like I love all your projects)! It turned out so well and you've inspired me to make one of my own! I also wanted to tell you that I featured you over at my blog here. Please feel free to grab a featured button if you want!
-Mel the Crafty Scientist
These are so bright and colourful and look really effective. I can't wait to have a go. Thanks for sharing your instructions.
Hi Mooshoo,
Yes you can, but be sure to use cold water. Hot water will fade the bright colors.
suzy
this looks like fun!!
my only question:
can you wash the material after this in a regular cycle?
I love these.
I am featuring you and your wonderful crayon idea on my blog today! Feel free to check it out!
http://anisfavoritethings.blogspot.com
Thanks for such a great idea!
Your pillows turned out beautifully. I am wondering if you have to use the black dye or can you just iron out the wax? I have a project in mind and I might give your technique a try.
MARAVILLOSO
Just dropping by to tell you that I featured you!
http://allawesomelinks.blogspot.com/2011/06/making-recycled-cryaon-batik.html
Super Awesome! Love the post!
If you happen to have an old hot plate or warming tray you can set your muffin tin on it and the wax will stay melted.
you can also use a heating pad
I finally got a chance to give it a go. The end result can be seen here if you're interested: http://poddleblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/wax-crayon-batik.html
Thanks again!
Oh wow. I've done various versions of batik before but as another lover of bold colours, this takes the biscuit. I can't wait to try it!
Your batik is beautiful, I just love it…I must bust out those old broken crayons. I have a suggestion for keeping them at the right melted temperature. I would use my electric frying pan. I often use it as a double boiler this way. Place a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom to protect it, and add about an inch of water. Place your muffin pan or aluminum foil cups in the water. It is easy to keep it at the right temp. thanks for sharing this great tutorial!
This is gorgeous! Love this work. Thanks for posting it.
Suzy-
Thanks for linking to Creative Juice! Hope to see you back this week!
This is very creative! I like the city scene you made. Thanks for sharing this week! Sharing this idea on Twitter!
Super cute! Thanks so much for linkin up. Can't wait to see what you have for next week.
I have always loved batik and now you have made it accessable to me in this great project, I just can hardly wait to get to the dollor store tomorrow to get some crayons! Thanks so much for a great idea, This is my first time here and I'm looking forward to seeing much more from you, I'll be stopping by regularly now! Louella
Wow! You are a feerless crafter! These are FANTASTIC! Great job!
Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
Wow, what amazing results–love them! Thanks so much for linking up to Beyond The Picket Fence.
This is amazing! Thank you for sharing!
I love how this looks and I don't even generally like batik prints
I wonder if you could do this on top of a griddle like they do here with paper http://hubpages.com/hub/meltedcrayonart then you could just draw with the crayons and you wouldn't have to keep melting them or need paint brushes.
saw this on life in the micro! love it. I'm going to follow you now. Have a great weekend!
Michelle
http://www.heartfeltbalancehandmadelife.blogspot.com
Holy cow! That is one of the coolest things I have ever seen! I am featuring it over on my blog at http://iamonly1woman.blogspot.com today. I hope you don't mind!
Oh Suzy these are so beautiful…I remember making these with my art students ! thanks for sharing ! xo
Lucy
you come up with some really fun ideas!! Great!
Thanks so much for linking to "20 Below Thursday"!
This is so awesome, Suzy! I featured this, this week. Thanks for linking it up! I can't wait to try it with Han.
http://thespeckleddog.blogspot.com/2011/04/favorite-things-friday-no-18.html
Super cute nope not cute…BEAUTIFUL!! I was wondering if u could use a plug-in skillet (not the techniqical term sorry), to help keep ur crayons to stay warm while u paint?
They are so beautiful! The best way I've found to work with wax safely and keep it warm is to put small pyrex custard cups in an electric skillet, pour in boiling water and turn on the skillet to top heat to melt the wax, then turn down to keep the wax warm, just be sure to keep the water level up.
beautiful! thank you for this fabulous idea!
That is really fun! Thanks for sharing over at Tuesday Tell All!
Melissa
MyCraftieLife.Blogspot.com
Wow!
Beautiful, I've done regular batik with less vivid results. I'd love to try this.
thanks!
I knew there was a reason I saved all my children's crayons. They had to be good for something other than coloring books. I love the deep color the crayons leave. The black dye really bumps the color and sophistication up.
stunning!! i am love with the look of this fabric. we have two extra boxes of crayolas sitting on top of our fridge…..
These are gorgeous. Batiks are my favorite too!
Hi Annie,
Actually someone earlier suggested candle melting plates which would probably work better to keep them melted while painting.
As for the oven, I supervised mine carefully and found that it only took about 3 minutes or so to melt the crayons.
suzy
I first made this project in my high school art class. I’ve made many since and taught this technique to my own art students. We used griddles and simply placed a muffin tin on them – then put your crayons in the muffin tin cups. The griddle keeps the crayons melted while you paint – easy peasy. We used India ink for the black lines. We also used newspapers for the ironing part, but found that the ink from the paper will get on your fabric, so we kept cheap newsprint paper next to the fabric to keep our fabric clean. This project is always a big hit! Love your projects.
This project is amazing…I'm so glad you shared it!Just my type of thing to do…
found you via FPTFY
I'm your newest follower. My girls did something similar at Art lessons. I have wanted to do something similar since. Thanks for the instructions.
WOW! That is really neat!
Visiting from Tea Rose Home!
That is beautiful! Here from WFMW. It makes me want to make a project like this.
These are beautiful! Art pieces for sure. Another thiing to add to my to-do list for someday.
This is absolutely stunning. I found you via Someday Crafts. I am going to send this link to my sister who is a Fine Arts teacher as well. HAve a great day!
Looks great! Your talent amazes me. I really think you could conquer any crafting project!
Mountain rose- That is an excellent idea! I will be doing this again and I definitely will try that!
suzy
why not get a couple of candle melting plates and either tin pans like a pot pie comes in or small glass jars to melt your crayons in? would still give you the melted wax you want.
Beautiful! This is like the third or fourth project you've posted that's wonderful and right up my alley. I am a new follower! I will bookmark this, because I probably won't get to it right away, but the Christmas scene sounds like lots of fun, or perhaps several seasonal pillows.
Thanks again for another great tutorial.
I just love this! I managed to go around and look at more of your tutorials and i have to tell you , you have some of the best! Very clear and easy to understand. I do wonder , at the end how do you know its time to change to another piece of newspaper??
Just Gorgeous!!!
I'm definitely going to be sharing this with all my quilting buddies. Thanks for the inspiration!
-Mrs. Turkey: http://www.turkeylists.blogspot.com
That's just…wow…so amazing! And beautiful! I love it so much. What a method you used! You're smart.
This is great! I love how different it is. I'm having a giveaway at my blog. So if you are interested in joining please stop by.
Wow, I have never seen anything like this ever before. This would be such cool artwork to have up on the walls even. Love it.
Marianne @ piecesofmymind-marianne.blogspot.com
My mom is an art teacher and taught me this as a kid but I totally forgot about it! your city looks great. domesticdeadline.blogspot.com
How fabulous! They look great, and it sounds like fun to try too!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
incredibly amazing! too much work for me, plus I can't paint worth a hoot. However, I loved the tute and how fabulous your pillows turned out.
gail
I will defiantly give this a try! Thank you so much for sharing.
How very cool! I found you on Amaze me Monday and you did amaze me! I just got back from a surface design retreat and we did all sorts of fun stuff and this is right up that alley. Thanks for sharing all the details! I think I will totally have to try this (someday).
Wow!!! very impressive!
These are A-mazing! I've had an idea running around in my head for months now making a stained glass style pillow. I was thinking of using fabric markers and fabric scraps but this looks so stunning I may have to scrap the original idea.
This is SUPER awesome~!!!! I am going out to get the supplies to try this today!!! I am your newest follower!! Love all your stuff!!
Libby from mondellofam.blogspot.com
This is amazing!
Beautiful! I love these! Thanks for sharing!
This is so very cool! Found you @ CRAFT. I'm going to have to bookmark this for a summer project!
I remember doing a batik project in high school, but I wasn't as creative as you were. Those turned out beautifully!
I love it!! My mom used to sew with batiks when I was little I have a certain fondness for them in my own sewing
wow, you never cease to amaze me! I've always loved batik, and love how your project came out…..gotta try it sometime myself. Thanks so very much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday, great to have you!
These are great…well done!
So, I am about to begin the newspaper portion of this venture. I must say that I am not a fan of painting with melted crayons. I guess you never know till you try! I will keep you posted…
Blessings…
Saved By Love Creations
I remember making a Batik in my high school art class and have had the urge to do it again in the last year. The mess, time and expense of the dyes and tools have been discouraging me. Your method solves all those problems!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Gorgeous work! And such a neat idea – now my hands are itching to do this with my kid!
Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial! I'm bookmarking this one for sure. I just love it.
xo,
Sena
Little Treasures- they wash up fine. I would use a cold water wash simply to preserve the color, but as long as the wax has all been removed, it is just another piece of hand dyed fabric.
suzy
This is sooo neat! I would love to tray to do this!
This looks fantastic but I have a question. What happens when you wash them?
That looks incredible! I hope to give it a try someday soon.
Laura@ ComeTogetherKids
Wow, wow, wow….this is fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing your very funny tutorial…I was giggling all the way through, we could be twins, except your a bit more talented!
~Pam
pamspaintparlor.typepad.com
Amazing, fun and playful. I love this idea! I've wanted to try batik for a while and now I know how! Thanks
Such a cool technique to learn! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.
What a fabulous idea! I still have about a million old crayons from when the kids were little, and I love the look of batik! I'm going to highlight this on my Lit and Laundry facebook page. Thanks for linking up to Finished for Friday!
hiya , i came visiting from catch as catch can and i am so glad i did x i am lovin this site this batik tut , is fab and i will try it out x i am also your newest follower and i will be linky up with you on thursday x oh and i ave your button too (sarge..lol) hope you will visit me too x
xmaggiex
so amazing. what a suspensful post. I wondered how you were going to get that wax out!
megan
craftycpa.blogspot.com
These are wickedly cool! I think they would make an awesome house warming gift for me when I get to the new (old) house in PA. I should be there by Wednesday! Let me know if you want the address so you can send them! lol This idea is so on my to do list.
Awesome. Shared this on my blog too {;0)
http://themanyfacesofsarahhankins.blogspot.com/2011/04/something-to-share.html
Wow – this turned out great! Love the colors. I've been trying to figure out how to melt crayons through a glue gun, but can't get it to work. I never thought of using a paint brush to paint on melt wax – duh! Awesome!
How fun. Such a talent. Something I have never tried. It turned out beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
How interesting…and cute pillows!
Tnx for linking up this weekend!
Fabulous results! Love, love, love this!
Love the finished result! I don't think I would have the patience that you do. Another great project – and something I've never seen before.
waw!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love it!!! So cool. Bookmarking this. Genius.
Blessings…
Saved By Love Creations
This looks fabulous! I remember doing this with my first grade class ages ago- we used ink for the dye part I think – and it looked great. The drawing were much simpler that yours of course, but still, it was cute. Thank you for posting this, and bringing this great technique back to me.
WHAAAAAAAAAT?!?!! I would never have thought that's y how this was done! Love it! Those colors are amazing. Mmhhhhhh I gotta try this, though I don't know how much patience I'd have for ironing out the wax. I *HATE* ironing!
WOW what amazing work, love it!
Paula
Using crayons to do Batik is a cool idea..(ya I understand about the melting part being a headache..)…but I just love the bright colored street houses
I really really really really really like this. Too bad you weren't doing all this when we were doing our craft meetings, he he he
now that is something i've definitely never seen! super cool!!
Its super cute idea..i have done so many batik work during my Textile Designing Degree..i did batik with,different types of wax & glue,but this is unique..love this idea..
if you would like to check my batik work,see here;
http://creativemind-zeshuregi.blogspot.com/2010/04/batik-work-wall-hanging.html
Thanks
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