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Batik Barrier Paste

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup water
2 tsp. alum (spice section of grocery stores)

 Blend until smooth. Batik Paste is a barrier paint for batik dying. The recipe can be doubled or tripled. The paste should be mixed until there are no lumps; a blender is useful for mixing. Use 100% bleached or unbleached muslin that has NOT been laundered or treated with perma-press.

Tape the muslin to  a piece of corrugated cardboard. Put the paste in squeeze bottles, apply, and leave to dry overnight.

Use paste food colors or watercolors to paint the areas between the applied paste; mix deep, rich hues as the colors will dry lighter than they appear to be when wet. After the fabric is dry, chip or rub the paste off with fingers, trim and iron fabric, and mount.
 

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