How to make Batik of Solo ( Surakarta ) step-by-step
How to make Batik of Solo step by step is the way to make a batik Solo style or motif.
As we know Solo or Surakarta is one of the largest batik producers in Indonesia
Moreover nowadays, Batik Solo becoming popular because there is a fashion expo in Paris, France
And the Mayor of Solo City, went to Paris to introduce batik Solo
Solo as a Mataram kingdom has a long history of batik
batik solo is unique because it has its own characteristics that are different from other styles or motifs from any region in Indonesia.
There are many famous batik motifs or designs from Solo such as batik Parangkusumo, Sidomukti, and many more
So today I Will write about how to make batik Solo step by step.
And our topic today starts with the batik Parang Kusumo motif
read also
Batik motifs in Indonesia and their origins
Paper Batik Lesson for Beginners
Batik Solo step by step how to make batik parang Kusumo
Before we start the steps of making Parang Kusumo batik, I will briefly explain
The history of the origin, meaning, and philosophy as well as the types of Parangkusumo batik.
History of ParangKusumo Batik
Parang Kusumo batik comes from the city of Solo or Surakarta.
This batik is one of the very old Batiks.
It is estimated that the age of Parangkusumo batik is around 400 years.
This batik was originally only used by the Mataram kingdom.
Because according to its meaning, namely Nobility or Flowers
So that only the royal family can wear this batik.
The philosophy of Parangkusumo Batik can be seen from the motif which looks like the letter "S"
which means
A struggle that never stops.
2. A life that must be better from day to day
3. Always striving to improve the welfare of life
4. Unbreakable family ties
Parang Kusumo motif is also like waves that never stop which means a spirit that never goes out
Oh yes, as additional information
There is a myth circulating among Javanese people
That Parang Kusumo Batik should not be worn at weddings Because it will bring bad luck.
This is because there is a mystical thing that seems to determine That Parangkusumo Batik is only used for specific events that are not weddings
Is this true? I don't know.
Because of the fact that now nonroyal families also wear Parang Kusumo batik motif in various events
Types of Parang Kusumo Batik
There are 3 types of Parang Kusumo batik: Parang Kusumo Yogyakarta, Parangkusumo Solo, and Parang Kusumo Seling Rusak
Parangkusumo Yogyakarta
Of course, there is a question of why there is a Yogyakarta Parang Kusumo motif when it comes from the city of Solo.
OK I will explain briefly
The Mataram kingdom was divided into two, namely Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo).
So these two kingdoms from these two adjacent cities are one family
Then there is the characteristic of the Yogyakarta Parangkusumo motif.
Parangkusumo Yogyakarta motif on the letter "S" has a circle at the end and also a gem pattern
The letter "S" pattern is also bigger than the Parangkusumo Solo motif
Parang Kusumo Surakarta
The hallmark of the Parang Kusumo from Surakarta or Solo is that the letter "S" pattern is slimmer and does not have a circle at the end
Parang Kusumo Surakarta is usually worn by women
Parang Kusumo Seling Rusak
This motif has a magical story behind it.
The founder of the Islamic Mataram kingdom, Panembahan Senopati is the creator.
It has the meaning of strength and power.
In this manufacture, there should not be the slightest mistake because if there is a mistake then the magical power will be lost
How to make Parang Kusumo Batik Solo step by step?
The process of making batik is quite long so I will only briefly explain
If you want to learn in more detail, please visit the city of Solo, there are many places to learn batik
The first step
Prepare a white fabric, then make a Parang Kusumo motif on the cloth using a pencil.
After the motif is finished, drape it or place the cloth on the cross
Turn on the stove put the candle in the pan and then heat the pan over low heat until all the wax melts.
To keep the stove temperature stable, keep the heat low
The Second Steps
The next step is to cover the fabric with wax on the parts that will remain white (the same as the base color of the fabric).
Canting for serviceable parts, or brush for large parts.
This process is intended so that when dyeing the fabric into the dye solution, the part that is given a wax coating is not exposed to the dye.
In the process of batik start by taking a little liquid wax using a canting,
Blow briefly so it doesn't get too hot, then scratch the canting following the motif.
In this process, care must be taken so that the liquid night does not drip on the surface of the cloth, because it will affect the results of the batik motif.
The third steps
After all the motifs that do not want to be colored or given another color are covered with wax,
Then the coloring process is carried out.
Prepare the dye in a bucket, then dip the fabric into the solution.
The first coloring process is on the part that is not covered with wax.
Coloring is done by dipping the cloth in a certain color.
Fabrics are dyed in colors starting with light colors, continuing with darker or darker colors at a later stage.
After being dipped in dye, the cloth is dried in the sun and dried.
The fourth steps
After drying, the drying process is carried out, which is done by scraping the wax with a knife.
Then the cloth is boiled together with water that has been given soda ash.
The cloth that has changed color is boiled in hot water.
This process aims to remove the wax layer so that the motifs that have been drawn are clearly visible.
The fifth steps
After several dyeing processes, the batik cloth is dipped in a mixture of water and soda ash to turn off the color that sticks to the batik and avoid fading.
The last process is washing or soaking in cold water and drying in the sun before it can be used and worn.
Okay, guys, that's a brief step-by-step explanation of making batik
If you are interested in studying it more deeply, please visit the city of Solo or Yogyakarta
There are many places to learn batik in both cities.