Hanukkah Crafting: A Simple Batik Project For Kids With Glue Gel!

Here’s a Hanukkah craft that you can do with the kids today, and use for years to come…..Use the simple technique of glue gel batik on old sheets or pillow cases, and make yourself a tablecloth, some holiday pillow covers, drawstring gift bags, cloth napkins….even some curtains would be great! And if you don’t sew, you can always tuck under rough edges and iron them in place with iron-on hemming tape! Wouldn’t your kids be so proud to have such a big part in making your home festive for Hanukkah?

I’ve always loved batik, but honestly the technique is just a bit too involved for most crafters. So when I saw this idea I just couldn’t wait to give it a try. The only problem was that I had to wait for a trip to the US to buy Elmers Washable School Gel Glue (it’s blue!), the art supply of choice for this. Since then, I have seen that one can actually do something similar though with less exacting results with flour, so I’ll give you the instructions for both.

Batik With Glue Gel:

1. Lay fabric flat on protected surface, draw with dressmaker’s chalk or light pencil on fabric, or skip that step for more free-form results.
2. Using the glue in the bottle as your applicator, simply apply a design to the fabric with the glue.
3. Let glue dry overnight, and then paint fabric with fabric paint, or slightly watered down acrylic paint works just fine too. Did you know that there is such a thing as “fabric paint medium” which allows you to use your regular craft acrylic paint as fabric paint, something to consider for a small investment, it’s sold in those small craft paint bottles.
4. When dry, soak fabric in a very warm water bath.  For about 10 minutes to 1/2 an hour for heavier fabric. When all the glue comes off the fabric wring out your piece and hang to dry, or use a hot dryer which will also help set the paint color.
5. Frame your works of art, drape them here and there or sew something fabulous! You could even embellish your project with beads and sequins for a bit of extra sparkle if you’re the sparkly type, which I must say I am this time of year!

Batik With Flour Paste:

Follow above instructions, just instead of glue, make a paste from 3 parts flour to one part water, and use a plastic bag with a tiny hole cut in the corner to apply the paste. Omit the soaking in warm water, this paste can simply be picked off by little fingers. Enjoy!

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