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Learn the Indonesian way of designing fabric! This is a centuries old custom in which Indonesians take great pride. The process can be lots of fun for children, while at the same time teaching them some of the history and culture of Indonesia. And I'm sure there must be a science lesson hidden within the process itself, too! When you are finished with your 'masterpiece t-shirts', the children will get lots of questions from their friends about their cool shirts, and they can tell them all about everything they've learned!

What You’ll Need

Plain white T-shirt
Tape
White candle
Iron
Newspapers
Fabric paint
Paintbrushes

Steps To Take To Batik Your T Shirt

1. Tape the T-shirt flat on a table. You can also fit a piece of cardboard inside the shirt and firmly tape the shirt to that. Craft stores usually sell cardboard t-shirt cutouts, if you don't want to do it yourself.

2. Draw a design on the T-shirt with the white candle. You will have to press hard! You can also cut up pieces of candle - or get old pieces of crayons - and melt them in the microwave. And then you can paint on your design with the melted wax.

3. After allowing the wax to dry, remove the T-shirt from the table (or cardboard) and sandwich it between two sheets of newspapers. Carefully iron over the newspaper.

4. Remove the newspapers. Paint over the T-shirt or dye the shirt with clothing dye and watch your design emerge! Let dry completely.

Submitted by Leximom