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Modern batik, although having strong ties to traditional batik, utilizes linear treatment of leaves, flowers and birds. These batiks tend to be more dependent on the dictates of the designer rather than the stiff guidelines that have guided traditional craftsmen. This is also apparent in the use of color that modern designers use. Artisans are no Modern Batiklonger dependent on traditional (natural) dyes, as chemical dyes can produce any color that they wish to achieve. Modern batik still utilizes canting and cap to create intricate designs.

Fashion designers have aggressively introduced batik into the world fashion scene. They have done much to promote the Indonesian art of batik dress, in its traditional and modern forms.

The horizon of batik is continuing to widen. While the design process has remained basically the same over the last century, the process shows great progress in recent decades. Traditionally, batik was sold in 2 1/4 meter lengths used for kain panjang or sarong in traditional dress. Now, not only is batik used as a material to clothe the human body, its uses also include furnishing fabrics, heavy canvas wall hangings, tablecloths and household accessories. Batik techniques are used by famous artists to create batik paintings which grace many homes and offices.

Fine quality handmade batik is very expensive and the production of such works is very limited. However, in a Mo

In general, there are two categories of batik design: geometric motifs (which tend to be the earlier designs) and free form designs, which are based on stylized patterns of natural forms or imitations of a woven texture. Nitik is the most famous design illustrating this effect.

Certain areas are known for a predominance of certain designs. Central Javanese designs are influenced by traditional patterns and colors. Batik from the north coast of Java, near Pekalongan and Cirebon, have been greatly influenced by Chinese culture and effect brighter colors and more intricate flower and cloud designs.

High fashion designs drawn on silk are very popular with wealthy Indonesians. These exceptionally high-quality pieces can take months to create and costs hundreds of dollars.

Ceplok Design.
Ceplok is a general name for a whole series of geometric designs based on squares, rhombs, circles, stars, etc. Although fundamentally geometric, ceplok can also represent abstractions and stylization of flowers, buds, seeds and even animals. Variations in color intensity can create illusions of depth and the overall effect is not unlike medallion patterns seen on Turkish tribal rugs. The Indonesian population is largely Muslim, a religion that forbids the portrayal of animal and human forms in a realistic manner. To get around this prohibition, the batik worker does not attempt to express this matter in a realistic form. A single element of the form is chosen and then that element is repeated again and again in the pattern.

Kawung Design.
Kawung is another very old design consisting of intersecting circles, known in Java since at least the thirteenth century. This design has appeared carved into the walls of many temples throughout Java such as Prambanan near Jogjakarta and Kediri in East Java. For many years, this pattern was reserved for the royal court of the Sultan of Jogjakarta. The circles are sometimes embellished inside with two or more small crosses or other ornaments such as intersecting lines or dots. It has been suggested that the ovals might represent flora such as the fruit of the kapok (silk cotton) tree or the aren (sugar palm).

Parang Design.
Parang was once used exclusively by the royal courts of Central Java. It has several suggested meanings such as ‘rugged rock’, ‘knife pattern’ or ‘broken blade’. The Parang design consists of slanting rows of thick knife-like segments running in parallel diagonal bands. Parang usually alternated with narrower bands in a darker contrasting color. These darker bands contain another design element, a line of lozenge-shaped motifs call mlinjon. There are many variations of this basic striped pattern with its elegant sweeping lines, with over forty parang designs recorded. The most famous is the ‘Parang Rusak’ which in its most classical form consisting of rows of softly folded parang. This motif also appears in media other than batik, including woodcarving and as ornamentation on gamelan musical instruments.

Batik Cloth is a medium that lies somewhere between art and craft, and is believed to be at least 2000 years old, which is becoming more popular and well known in the world as a wonderfully creative medium. The art of decorating cloth in this way, using wax and dye, has been practised for centuries. In Java, Indonesia, batik is part of an ancient tradition, and some of the finest batik cloth in the world is still made there.

There is nowhere in the world where the art of batik has been developed to the highest standards as in the island of Java in Indonesia. All the raw materials for the process are readily available – cotton and beeswax and many plants from which the dyes are made.

The traditional skills were particularly well developed over hundreds of years in Central Java around Pekalongan, Yogyakarta and Solo. Designs were copies and in some cases the cloths could only be used by certain people or on certain occasions.

To make a batik, selected areas of the cloth are blocked out by brushing or drawing hot wax over them, and the cloth is then dyed. The parts covered in wax resist the dye and remain the original colour. This process of waxing and dyeing can be repeated to create more elaborate and colourful designs. After the final dyeing the wax is removed and the cloth is ready for wearing or showing.

Everywhere in Indonesia people still wear clothing made from batik cloth and the tourist industry has opened up a new market for cheap batik clothing and pictures.

Washing Batik: Harsh chemical detergents, dryers and drying of fabrics in the sun may fade the colors in batik. Traditionally dyed batiks should be washed in soap for sensitive fabrics, such as Woolite, Silky or Halus. Fine batik in Indonesia is washed with the lerak fruit which can be purchased at most traditional markets. A bottled version of this detergent is also available at batik stores. Be sure to line dry batik in a shady area and not in direct sunlight.

Crochet, this craft has been enjoyed across the world for centuries. Crocheting is not only a craft but an art. Once you master the basic stitches you will be well on your way to creating masterpieces you will be pride to share with your family and friends. Anyone can learn to crochet as long as they put their mind to it.

The Coats Crafts of crochet threads for household crochet which good quality and variety in threads, including the perennial white and creams, plus multi-coloured shades.  Many of the Patons yarns for handknittings also produce superb results for crochet.

From thick Patons yarns to fine Aida, Floretta and Chain Mercer Crochet cotton threads, the range of Coats Crafts for crochet ensures there is always the right thread for each application.

Also you will see crocheted from toys to sweaters. There are so many different items of crochet. There are snowflakes for the Christmas tree, sweaters for your best friend, and house slippers for every member of your family. You can even learn to crochet baby bibs, blankets, and outfits.

If you’re looking for an affordable and quick way to revamp your home furniture, slipcovers could be the answer. A simple yet effective way to improve the appearance of your home is to fit some new sofa slipcovers over your tired looking sofas. As well as sofa covers, all kinds of furniture covers for seats of all sizes and styles can be bought for an affordable price. Stretch slipcovers are designed to be really easy to fit, so you can transform the look and feel of your whole room within minutes. Fitting some ready made slipcovers can instantly disguise worn looking upholstery on your sofas and chairs, giving them a fresh new lease of life.

For a fully coordinated look, you may want to consider covering all the seats in your room. In addition to wing chair and couch slipcovers, there are loads of recliner, loveseat and ottoman covers available. One advantage of slipcovers over re-upholstery is that they can be removed and replaced any time you fancy a new look. For instance, you could alter the appearance of your home according to the change of seasons. Just by altering the look of your seats it’s possible to influence the mood of your entire room.

And not only that,  slipcovers are a practical solution if you have young children, pets or health problems such as dust, animal allergies, or asthma. Your child spills or gets dirt on the furniture. Your dog or cat sheds fur and flea eggs on your sofa. Dust, dirt and flea eggs just get ground into conventional upholstered furniture. It looks unsightly, and can cause a variety of heath problems.

No problem with a slipcover. Just take it off and wash it! Slipcovers are easy to care for and are made to be washed. If you like the casual look, just throw it in the wash. If you prefer a crisper look, you can either professionally wash & press, or dry clean it.