Inside the Roben's Nest: A Peek at Batik with Stencils
From Art Class Flashbacks to Fabric Experiments
I’m so excited to share this behind-the-scenes peek with you because it was sparked by a memory that goes way back to eighth grade. I had the most incredible art teacher (the kind you never forget) and one of the many things she introduced us to was batik.
Now, if you’ve never tried it, batik is this wonderful resist-dyeing technique using wax and fabric. We’d draw or stamp designs cover with melted wax, then layer on the color. Once the wax was removed, it left behind the most beautiful patterns.
I still remember the piece I made - it involved a horse (I loved horses back then), some bright colors, and this sense of total creative freedom.
That memory came to mind recently, and I thought... what if we brought that same spirit to a mixed media fabric project?
Batik Gets a Mixed Media Twist Inside The Roben’s Nest
For this month’s lesson, I wanted to simplify the process and make it feel totally doable. No fancy equipment or hours of setup. We’re keeping it playful and low-pressure. Using wax and stencils, we created resist patterns on scrap fabrics, then added layers of color in some really fun ways: coffee staining, acrylic inks, and even a faux cyanotype effect that totally surprised me!
Fun ways to play with Batik
Use stencils with wax for bold, layered patterns
Get soft, earthy effects using coffee and diluted inks
Try your hand at faux cyanotype without the sun
Combine different fabrics for a patchwork-style batch of fabric “bits”
What I love most is that each piece turns out a little unexpected. Some come out grungy and vintage, others look like they were pulled from a botanical print collection. That variety makes them perfect for collage, textile journals, and stitched projects.
What Is The Roben’s Nest?
If you’re new here, The Roben’s Nest is my creative membership where we explore monthly Art Nest Minis like this one, plus swaps, challenges, and loads of inspiration. Every month brings a new, bite-sized project designed to spark your creativity and keep your hands busy.
We’re a mix of beginners and long-time makers, and we love sharing our process and cheering each other on. This month’s Batik with Stencils project was a hit, and I loved seeing how everyone made it their own.
And now, let’s take a peek at what members created this month.
Some leaned into earthy neutrals and soft stains. Others pulled out the bright paints and layered stitching on top. Each piece told its own little story.
Batik with Stencils Created By The Roben’s Nest Members
