Modern Batik - UK exclusive

Colourful batik cotton fabric from Indonesia

We source the highest quality cotton batik fabric direct from a town in Central Java with a thriving and historic batik industry. Buying it directly from small scale manufacturing families who have lived in the batik district for generations, we have visited their workshops and watched these artisans at work.

Our cotton batik is available here by the metre, but also as fat quarter sets.

How is batik made?

There are many different batik traditions, but the principle is the same across the world. The batik fabric we sell is also known as Bali Batik, and is made in long lengths. The background colours are dyed first onto high quality Primissima cotton using a variety of non-traditional dye techniques, and then the wax is applied with copper stamps. A second layer of dyes is applied over the top, then the wax is removed in very hot water.

Can I learn how to do batik?

Yes! If our modern batik fabrics have inspired you to try your hand at learning batik, then we offer a variety of batik kits so that you can create your own DIY batik at home.

Where did batik come from?

While historians disagree on the exact origins of batik, the earliest examples of wax resist cloth have been found in China. By the eighth century it had spread to Japan, and then found its way to India and Indonesia. If you’d like to find out more about the traditions and history of batik around the world, then we highly recommend the book Batik Transitions, available in our shop.

Buy fabric online UK

Established over 40 years ago, Textile Traders is a small but perfectly formed UK fabric shop, specialising in unusual and artisanal Asian fabrics.

We stock a wide range of unique fabric, as well as accessories, jewellery and batik supplies, all sourced on our extensive travels through Asia.

Explore our fabrics