Batik historically is derived from our ancestors, known since 17 century, written and painted on palm leaves. At that time motif or batik pattern was dominated with the form of animals and plants. But in its history, batik has developed from painting motifs of animals and plants gradually turn to the abstract motif that resembles a cloud, temple reliefs, wayang beber and so forth. Furthermore, through the merger of the painting pattern with the art of clothes decoration appears the art of drawing batik as we know it today

The type and style of traditional batik are considered very much, but the pattern and its variations according to the philosophy and culture of each region are very diverse. The Indonesian cultural treasures have prompted the birth the patterns and types of traditional batik with the characteristics of their own specialty.

This time the word batik is already widely known abroad. Both women and men of Indonesia from various tribes like to wear cloth decorated with batik patterns or batik cloth itself, which is made and cut according to taste respectively. The foreign tourists or officials who live in Indonesia delight in batik and often bring to home as souvenirs.

Meaning of the word batik itself , art expert scholars, both Indonesian or foreign nation, have not reached an agreement about what it actually means. Some say that the term comes from the word tik embedded in the word dot (titik). The dot means also drops. Indeed in the making of batik cloth is also done dropping candles on a white cloth. There is also people who search for origin of the word batik in ancient written sources. According to this opinion, the word batik is associated with the word, writing or painting. Thus, the origin of batik is associated also with painting and drawing in general.

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In the process of making batik cloth, a craftsman carve beautiful motifs  into a piece of unbleached plain  cloth by using tjanting containing hot wax. Batik process is done carefully and often a batik craftsmen have carved a series of points to gain an intricate batik motifs. Tool for batik is tjanting. An instrument shaped like a pen and made of bamboo, copper-headed and narrow-mouthed at the edges. This tjanting is used to ladle the hot liquid wax, which is used as a sealing material or a protector of dyes during coloring. At the beginning of the batik making process, a craftsman carves a candle in a white cloth using tjanting. However, before being done motif drawing by carving the hot wax, unbleached plain cloth must be dipped first into the oil plants and soda solution, in order to facilitate a candle to adhere and in order that cloth more easily absorbs the stain. Every time the cloth is given another color, the parts that should not be given stain are covered with wax, so that more and more colors are used to decorate the batik cloth, the longer  works to cover  them. At the last stage, a layer of wax that covers the cloth is removed by boiling the cloth in boiling water after previously soaked in a solution of soda ash (sodium silicate) to perpetuate the color on batik. As the final result is a piece of batik cloth with beautiful motifs fascinating.

Batik technique actually is thousands of years old. Some experts even say that the technique of batik may originate from the ancient cultures of the nations in Africa, the Middle East (the ancient Sumerians) and several ancient nations in Asia that continues to spread even to Indonesia. The spread of these batik technique and culture can reached Indonesia, apparently thanks to the merchants from India who had visited areas in Indonesia in a few centuries ago. At first batik cloth only was known around the royal palace where batik cloth originally was worn only by nobility and kings. But along with growth, then the next batik cloth was widely known among the people and continued to grow until the present. The amount and type of batik cloth motifs  that reaches thousands has a characteristic in each region in Indonesia. Although there are types of batik, but the batik cloth made and painted by using tjanting still occupy the top level of preference and still enthuse by the consumer in the country and overseas. Level of difficulty and complexity and the type of cloth used also influence the selling price. Nowadays batik cloth is not only made from unbleached plain  cloth, but also  polyester, rayon, to silk. Even batik cloth made of silk, the price can reach thousands dollars..

 

 

Do you have some clothing that you need to store?  It’s a good idea to follow some standard rules of storage to keep your clothing safe while it’s being stored.  You can store out-of-season clothing, clothes that your children haven’t grown into yet, maternity clothes for the next person that needs them, or clothes that you hope to fit back into one day.  There are endless reasons that you may have to store clothes for a long time.  Follow these tips so that your clothing investment is not ruined by mold, mildew, pests or heat.

1)  If you’re storing winter coats, you may have to follow specific directions.  Leathers need to breathe, so you must not store it in plastic.  Furs can be ruined by humidity.  Wool needs to be brushed or dry cleaned to ensure that there is no body oil present that might give moth larvae a breeding ground.  Certain fabrics can fade or even melt if exposed to heat or sunlight.  For your more expensive or delicate items, make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s advice before you store them.

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2)  For regular, everyday wear, mostly cotton clothing, it’s mostly the humidity that you have to worry about.  Any tiny amount of moisture present can cause mold and mildew to grow.  Have you ever opened up a cardboard box of clothing from storage and it smelled musty?  That smell is mold and mildew.  Somehow moisture was allowed into the box.  To avoid those dreaded musty odors, use cedar products in an airtight plastic container with your clothes.  Cedar doesn’t only help to repel moths and other pests, but it absorbs moisture from the air trapped in the container, giving you a humidity-free environment for storing your clothes.

3)  Many people have asked about storing their clothing with dryer sheets to keep them smelling fresh while they’re in storage.  This can work, but you have to be careful.  Don’t place the dryer sheet directly on an article of clothing.  As time goes on, the chemicals in the dryer sheet will adhere to the fabric that it’s touching.  It leaves a waxy residue that can damage clothing or that won’t wash off.  If you want to use dryer sheets for fragrance, tape one in the lid of the storage container and don’t stack the clothes to the top.  You may still need to use cedar to absorb moisture to fully eliminate musty odors.

4)  If you plan to store items like suits and coats, you may want to invest a little in a rolling garment rack.  Use wooden hangers to help suits and coats hold their shape at the shoulders.  Your <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/2859631']);” href=”http://www.onlyhangers.com”title=”Clothes Hangers”>clothes hangers</a> can make a big difference here.  Clothing hangers made of cedar are perfect for storing things long-term.  Whichever hangers you choose, make sure that they are sturdy enough to hold the weight of the items for long periods of time.

 

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Finding versatile and fashionable maternity clothes is much easier today than it has ever been before. In the past, pregnant women often were unable to find fashionable clothing that would last throughout their pregnancy. Women who worked were often left to wear large size clothing when they could not find appropriate clothing for work. The increase of women getting pregnant who have an influence on fashion trends has resulted in an abundance of choices for pregnant women.

Finding the perfect clothing will be very easy. Much of the clothing made will last throughout your pregnancy and will often provide you with some pieces after the baby is born. When you are deciding on the clothing that will meet your needs it is important to think about the activities that you participate in and comfort. The clothing must be versatile and functional, providing you with style but comfort in any situation.

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The clothing that pregnant women need differs depending on the way that you carry your baby. As you get further along, the way that clothing hangs on your body will be very important. Early in the pregnancy, getting clothing that will have room to expand and be comfortable in whichever way that you carry your baby will keep you from needing to stop wearing it when you begin to get larger.

Pull over t-shirts are extremely comfortable and made from many different types of fabric. When a person is pregnant, the t-shirt often will fit with any wardrobe choice. The shirts are made for new moms and have different cuts depending on the size that is needed. They are also very functional for a woman whose hormones may require lighter clothing.

Even when you first find out you’re a mom, restrictive clothing will be uncomfortable. Getting pants and skirts with expandable mid-riffs and waistbands will make working while pregnant much more comfortable. There are some very nice clothing options made for working women.

In many cases, when you must wear suits or coordinated outfits to work, you can get the maternity suits that will expand as you do. This makes the investment in the suit very affordable, as you will be able to wear it throughout your pregnancy. The suits often are made with expandable pants and skirts and a matching jacket made from durable, washable fabric that will wear very nicely throughout your pregnancy.

Shopping for maternity clothes will be very easy when you choose comfortable durable clothing that is fashionable. When you are selecting clothing, it is a good idea to get clothing that will layer easily. In this way you can remove or add layers as you need to, based on your body’s temperature.

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People all over the world are motorcycle enthusiasts, some even since their childhood, and they have never missed an opportunity to delight in this passion. Most of us have seen people cruising along the highways and roads on their bikes with great pride and gallantry. Motorcycle drivers are mostly chivalrous and confident. But to motorcycle drivers and riders ever consider the array of accidents which are inseparably linked with motorcycle riding? Motorcycle accidents are extremely common; hence, it is important for motorcycle drivers to equip themselves adequately in order to protect themselves. If you are a resident of the UK and enjoy riding your motorcycle, you should have motorcycle gloves and clothing that will keep you safe.

Motorcycle clothes and motorcycle gloves should combine style, protection and comfort. These types of clothing are meant to protect you from accidents. A biker requires a minimum amount of comfort to be able to drive at ease. The proper motorcycle clothing and motorcycle gloves enable bikers to ride comfortably in all types of weather conditions, even in the most harsh weather conditions. Whether it is rain or snow, good motorcycle jackets offer protection from water seepage and road burn if you fall off your bike and slide. Many bikers like donning the latest styles in motorcycle clothing and motorcycle gloves. Motorcycle clothes are not just meant to protect a biker and keep him or her safe; they are also an excuse for bikers to wear the latest items of fashionable clothing.

Clothes for motorcycle riders include a number of items from motorcycle jackets to motorcycle gloves. Biker jackets are the most important items in motorcycle clothing and they are manufactured of leather in UK. However, they are also available in nylon, which offers year round protection to bikers. Most of these jackets are manufactured in the UK in such a manner that they offer warmth during the chilly winter and protect from water during the rainy season. The jackets should be purchased only after proper measurements have been taken, unless the jackets are comfortable and accommodating the bikers will not ride comfortably. For bikers who indulge in professional racing, motorcycle body armour is a must. It acts as a shield and protects the back, chest and arms from injuries in accidents.

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Motorcycle chaps are another important component of motorcycle clothing, it protects bikers from cold winds, dirt and dust. Motorcycle gloves are another important clothing item that bikers cannot avoid while riding on their bikes. Without motorcycle gloves, motorcyclists may fail to keep the grip needed to handle their bikes. Often the grip of the motorcyclist is compromised due to sweat, which causes her grip to slip. The last and the most important item of motorcycle clothing is the motorcycle helmet. Helmets offer protection to the head and face of the riders from injuries. Hence, a helmet protects the most important part of the body and is surely the most indispensable item of clothing that one needs to wear while driving a motorcycle. However, before purchasing a helmet, make sure that it is endorsed by the Department of Transportation. A DOT certified helmet ensures that it has passed the optimum stages of protection and the helmet complies with motorcycle laws.

A lot of manufacturing companies in the UK produce branded motorcycle clothing and motorcycle gloves. This motorist wear comes at premium rates however, it is unavailable to most motorcycle owners. Since the most important function of these items of clothing is protection, one can choose affordable motorcycle clothing instead of paying high prices for the expensive brands. Though it is true that affordable clothing items are not as popular as their branded counterparts, these items offer sufficient protection to bikers as long as they have been approved. Before purchasing motorcycle clothing and motorcycle gloves it is necessary to consider certain factors like the fit and the thickness of the jackets. There are a number of motorcycle clothing stores in the UK; shop around to find out best motorcycle clothing and gloves for you.

Depending on the feedback of the people who have already used these items and your budget, get a stylish collection of motorcycle clothing and motorcycle gloves for yourself at Bike Image.

Clothing and accessories in the form and style of the military is gaining popularity. Although we often see servicemen to wear their needed military clothing, it is also now becoming common to see men, women, and children wearing military clothing as part of their fashion even if they are not part of the military. Hollywood stars are also together with these new craze of wearing military clothing and accessories. Beyonce Knowles even had a photo shoot for a magazine where she showcased her own military look. Kristen Stewart was comfortable enough to carry her own tanker tool bag.

They are just some of those great Hollywood stars that even with their femininity they just can’t resist the power of military clothing and accessories. For men who love to wear military clothing, one reason for the craze is the masculine feel they have while wearing one. Once a guy is seen wearing with any type of military clothing, the perception of those around is always a good one. It creates manhood, love of country, and love for outdoor activities. Other guys wear military or tactical clothing because they will use them for certain types of sports that would need to better camouflage themselves to the sport they are in. This is in the form of camouflage clothing.

Men who wear camouflage clothing are those who like hunting and shooting, camping, and playing paintball. For women who wear military clothing, most are inclined to the fashion. Designers of fashionable military clothing can be found in jeans, jackets, bags and the like. And because the demand for fashionable military clothing for women is growing, designers are making creative ways to fill this up. When women used military clothing for recreational activities, the same concept and style can be bought as what it is with most men. There are women’s camouflage clothing that are also available for hunting, shooting, camping and also for playing paintball.

The selection is endless. For children wearing military clothing, the concept is to give them the style their parents would want them to have. Especially for boys, it gives them more of a boyish active look. Although girls are also seen with military or camouflage clothing, but a lot of patrons when it comes to children military clothing are with boys. Commonly when we hear the words military clothing or military clothing our first thought are servicemen wearing their suits at a wedding or at special gatherings, or servicemen wearing their camouflage clothing as they are assigned at their given posts.

Nowadays, however, the use of military uniform does not end with clothing the military since they can now be everywhere. Probably, the popularity given to military clothing is also because of the growing number of sites dedicated to selling military uniforms. The demand is getting higher and higher, thus the emergence of sites offering different products to its consumers is also getting bigger. With this in mind, those who are in the military and those who just want to purchase fashionable military clothing can select their type of wear they want.