Spray Batik Scarf

Materials:

white silk scarf (12" x 60")
iron and pad
stock pot
plastic tray
4 oz. spray bottles
strainer
aluminum foil
plain newsprint *
Ranger non-stick craft sheet
Ranger Heat-It craft tool
Ranger clear embossing powder
Ranger Big & Bossy clear embossing ink
Duncan Chunky Layers circles and dragonfly #19150
Ranger Adirondack dye-based re-inkers: cranberry, lettuce, wild plum, stream, butterscotch, oregano (or Tim Holtz Adirondack Color Wash **)
Bag Works' Additions beaded trim

* Regular newspaper will not work because the black ink will transfer to your project.

** If you are using the Tim Holtz Adirondack Color Wash instead of the re-inker mixture, no steam-setting is required. Simply rinse ironed silk to remove excess dyes, let dry, and allow colors to set for 72 hours prior to washing.

1. Stamp images at random on a silk scarf using clear embossing ink (figure A).

2. Cover images with clear embossing powder.

3. Working on the non-stock craft sheet, emboss images with the Heat-It tool until they turn clear (figure B). Note: Be sure to continue to move heat tool around so you don’t burn the silk.

4. Place the embossed silk onto a plastic tray or nonporous surface.

5. Spray silk with various colors of ink solution until the silk is completely washed with inks (figure C). Note: For each color, fill spray bottles with 2ounces of water and add approximately 100 drops of Adirondack ink, or squeeze ink bottle and count to 10. You can adjust shade of color by adding more ink or water to the bottle. Or use Tim Holtz Adirondack Color Wash directly on silk.

6. Place inked silk between two pieces of plain newsprint. Iron the newsprint with a dry iron on high heat setting with no steam (figure D). Iron until you can see stamped images in your newsprint.

7. Remove silk from newsprint. If silk sticks, simply reheat area until it lifts easily. Your embossing powder has been lifted out into your newsprint, resulting in a smooth and colorful silk batik (figure E).

8. Wrap ironed piece of batiked silk in newsprint like a cinnamon roll and secure with masking tape (figure F).

9. Fill a stock pot with approx 4 inches of water. Place strainer in pot and bring water to a boil.

10. Cut about 20 circles of both newsprint and aluminum foil slightly smaller than the opening of the pot.

11. Place a layer of newsprint/foil/newsprint on strainer in pot. Be sure layers are not touching sides of pot or they will soak up water and bleed the inks on your silk (figure G).

12. Place wrapped silk piece on newsprint layer, and cover with another layer of newsprint/foil/newsprint. Repeat two more layers (figure H).

13. Next cover pot with more newsprint, a towel, and finally the lid (figure I). This will allow the steam to be absorbed in the towel and not drip inside.

14. Let silk steam for approximately 30 minutes.

15. Remove silk from pot and unwrap newsprint. Rinse steamed silk in cold water with Synthrapol or a neutral liquid detergent to remove any unset dyes.

16. Wring out excess water and wrap around a dowel to dry (figure J).

Tips:

Use rubber stamps or chunky stamps, but be sure your images are BOLD.

Be creative! Add a beaded trim to your scarf by sewing a pre-made trim to the ends using clear nylon thread. Try wrapping your scarf around a pillow for a home decor piece or drape on a rod for a window treatment.