Development of motif in ring-sling inspired by Lasem sling batik fabric

Abstract

Baby Carrier products are growing rapidly along with the needs, diversity of maternal activities, and technological developments. Mothers’ needs to carry their children is increasing attachment, as well as assist mothers in carrying out daily activities.  The Covid-19 pandemic has made dominant activities carried out at home, thus affecting the needs of mothers in carrying children. The available sling products include jarik, ring-sling, stretch warps, to soft structure carriers. The purpose of this study is to determine maternity products that suit the needs of mothers and children both in terms of type, material, and motif based on existing problems. The motifs applied to the product are the result of development inspired by the Lasem sling batik of the pohon hayat (tree of life) and fauna as a continuation of previous research, as well as to produce new variations of motifs, especially in maternity products. Several things can be further developed in this study such as the type of product, and the use of material techniques for applying motifs according to existing problems, potentials, and market interests. A mixed method was used in this study, namely by searching for data through literature studies, interviews, observations, questionnaires, and exploration. To solve the existing problems, ring-sling slings are made of natural fiber materials that are comfortable to use, batik motifs resulting from the development of pohon hayat (tree of life), and fauna sling motifs that are applied using the batik cap technique as a traditional impression.