Traditional Indigo Batik Workshop

Indigo batik is a captivating textile art form that combines the beauty of natural indigo dyeing with intricate wax-resist designs. Its origins can be traced back to ancient civilizations across various cultures and regions, including Egypt, China, India, and West Africa, around 2,000 years ago.

The technique gained prominence in Southeast Asia, particularly in Java, Indonesia, where the intricate art form of "batik tulis" (hand-drawn batik) evolved and is now a widely recognized intangible cultural heritage.

Batik is also widely practiced by the Miao indigenous group in Southwest China and holds historical and cultural significance for these communities to this day. Girls would learn the art of batik from their moms starting at the age of eight or nine - and since the Miao does not have their own written language, the Miao women have had a large role to play in documenting their people’s history, stories and emotions through their textile arts.

During this 3-hour workshop, you will learn about the history and traditional motifs of Miao batik, as well as a significant hands-on portion dedicated to learning the traditional wax-resist dyeing method - you will create patterns using batik tools from the Miao community, before dyeing your finished piece in natural indigo.

No prior knowledge is needed to take this workshop, and all materials will be provided.

Attendees are encouraged to think through some patterns and designs they would like to work on during the session but we will also provide additional ideas and motifs for inspiration.

We will provide all materials such as natural beeswax, small electric pots, batik painting tools (“ladao”), indigo dye bath, and an iron. Additionally, each participant is provided with upcycled, practice fabrics as well as a piece of organic cotton handkerchief to create on.

Sunday, October 4, 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Public $120, TBG Members $115 (plus applicable taxes and fees).

About Lisa Shi

Lisa Shi is the co-founder of SlowMaking, a cultural platform dedicated to preserving and sharing traditional craft knowledge. She has spent years travelling, learning, and conducting field research on cultural craft traditions, exploring how material culture and techniques reveal universal threads of connection across global communities.

Her engagement with batik is grounded in firsthand study with both Chinese and Indonesian researchers and artisans. These cross-cultural experiences inform her global understanding of batik and its broader textile histories, influences, and techniques, shaping a teaching practice rooted in research, respect, and hands-on experimentation.

About SlowMaking

At SlowMaking, we inspire intercultural connections and a slow, sustainable way of life through authentic storytelling, artisanal products, and immersive experiences that centre around heritage crafts.

To follow along for more cultural crafts and traditions: Instagram | Youtube | Website

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Additional Program Information

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