In June 2022, the Rekat Peduli Indonesia Foundation held training activities on making shibori batik in two major cities in East Java, namely Gresik and Sidoarjo. This activity involved 15 participants from TB survivors and families affected by TB from each city.
What is Shibori Batik? Shibori batik is a fabric batik technique that originated in Japan. The technique involves binding or clamping the fabric before it is dyed, creating unique patterns and designs on the fabric. The binding can be done with ropes, threads, or rubber bands before the fabric is soaked in textile dyes.
This technique can create a wide variety of patterns and designs such as circles, stars, stripes, and other geometric shapes. These patterns are formed because the dye cannot penetrate the areas of the fabric that have been bound or pressed, thus creating unique patterns and designs on the fabric.
Shibori batik is one of the popular fabric batik techniques around the world due to its simplicity and beautiful results. Shibori batik can be applied to various types of fabrics and can be dyed with various colors to create dramatic and interesting effects.

Shibori batik is a fabric batik technique that is very popular around the world for its beautiful results and simplicity that creates unique patterns and designs on fabric. In this tutorial, we will learn how to make Shibori batik with easy-to-follow steps and easy-to-find materials. With this tutorial, you can create a unique and personalized piece of fabric art with the Shibori batik technique.
Well, here’s how to make Shibori Batik.

Materials required:
- White fabric as desired
- Rope or rubber band
- Textile dye (indigosol type is recommended)
- Water
- HCL or H2SO4 solution
- Bucket or large container
- Rubber gloves (optional)
The Steps:
- Take the prepared white cloth, and then fold it.
- Select the desired pattern for the Shibori batik, and then tie a string or rubber band around the fabric with the desired pattern.
- Make sure the string or rubber band is tight enough so that no part of the fabric is missed.
- Prepare the textile dye by following the instructions on the packaging. Usually, textile dyes are mixed with hot water and salt to give optimal color results.
- Prepare the HCL solution into a container (rubber gloves are recommended).
- Put the tied fabric into the prepared textile dye, then quickly dip it into the HCL solution, after which leave it for 30-60 minutes, depending on your desire for color intensity. You can also mix dyes to create unique color effects.
- Remove the fabric from the textile dye and take out the string or rubber band. The fabric will have a unique pattern where the string or rubber band was placed.
- Rinse the fabric with cold water until the water runs clear.
- Iron the fabric at a temperature suitable for the fabric or dry it under direct sunlight.
- Batik Shibori is ready to use! 👍
Tips:
- For a more dramatic effect, use more than one dye and combine them with different binding patterns.
- Make sure you tie the fabric tightly enough to prevent the dye from getting into the desired pattern.
- Wear rubber gloves when working with textile dyes to avoid getting dye on your hands.
After following this tutorial, you now have the knowledge and skills to make your own shibori batik at home. Remember to always prepare the necessary materials and tools well before starting the shibori batik making process. Feel free to experiment with different binding and coloring techniques to create unique and creative patterns. Good luck and hopefully the end result is satisfying!
Good luck making Shibori batik! 👏👏