Batik, Handlooms, Lace One of the most visible Sri Lankan crafts that are found in scores of galleries and factories that line the major highways. Created through a process of waxing an dyeing, the pattern is drawn on a piece of fabric, wax is applied onto the areas that are not to be dyed. The material is then dyed, rewaxed and dyed according to the number of colours on the pattern. Originally, one artist created the batik from start to finish, but now it works more akin to assembly lines. A few traditional artists still prefer to carry out the entire process alone, though the finished product in whichever mode, is still handmade. Handlooms, especially those created by Barbara Sansoni, have become exclusive items renowned for their one of a kind weave and rainbow colours. An array of Sri Lankan handloom woven items can be obtained from sarongs, shirts, soft toys and even notebooks. Introduced by the Portuguese and most prevalent in Galle, Colombo and Jaffna, lacemaking is a tedious affair which sometimes takes months to complete. The skills of septo and octogenarians make the most intricate patterns that transform into absolute beauty from a myriad of pins and spindles of thread. BACK