Ever Wonder How Batiks are Made?
The short YouTube video by Hoffman (below) gives you an overview of the process. With all the labor that goes into making batiks, I'm frankly surprised that batiks don't cost $50 per yard! I especially love seeing how the copper chops are made.
What are Chops?
Tjaps (pronounced Jops or Chops), have been made and used on the island of Java for over a century. They are handmade of copper strips, carefully cut, shaped and soldered into fabulous shapes and patterns. They are used by Batik artists in Java by dipping them into hot wax, shaking off the excess, and then stamping the wax onto the cloth. Aligning the edges of each consecutive stamp creates patterns which run the length and width of the fabric.
