author
Walter Davis Baker
1873–1929
A textile artist and teacher from Indianapolis, he helped bring batik and other resist-dyeing methods to a wider American audience in the early 20th century. His best-known work blends practical instruction with an obvious love for color, pattern, and handcraft.
1 Audiobook
Batik and other pattern dyeing
by Walter Davis Baker, Ida Strawn Baker
About the author
Working with Ida Strawn Baker at the Waldcraft Studios in Indianapolis, Walter Davis Baker co-wrote Batik and Other Pattern Dyeing, published in 1920. The book introduces readers to batik and related decorative dyeing methods, combining technique, design ideas, and examples drawn from stage costumes, interiors, and fabric art.
What makes his work interesting today is how approachable it feels. Rather than treating textile design as something remote or overly technical, he presents it as a hands-on creative practice that curious beginners could learn and enjoy.
Reliable biographical details about his wider life are limited in the sources I could confirm, so this overview stays close to the record of his published work and his connection to the Waldcraft Studios.