wishfulthinking

Still searching for a hand sewing project for the next few weeks and came across pre-cut log cabin quilt kits in batiks. I've never used batiks at all. Maybe some of you are hand piecers and can tell me about hand piecing with batiks. Here's a link to what I'm considering: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bali-BATIK-1...item3f0f331735

Thanks for your help!

Cris

Well, I don't hand piece, but it looks beautiful.

Prism99

I think batiks would be harder to hand piece than regular cottons because batiks typically have a higher thread count, making pushing the needle through harder on your hands. Since hand piecing is a slow process, I personally would want an easier fabric to work with.

Hinterland

Some quilters feel that batiks are harder to hand piece. But I've never had a problem hand piecing them, and I love the tight weave when I hand quilt. The quilting stitches show up so nicely.

Maybe the best thing to do is piece a simple block made from a fat quarter, just to be sure you like working with them.

Janet

gollytwo

I have found batiks difficult to hand piece.
I make alot of scrap quilts and might use several batik pieces but never a whole quilt

sahm4605

I don't hand piece or hand quilt but I do hand binding on the quilt and I think that it is just fine and I use a lot of batiks. I use them for backing tops and bindings. But that is just me. Like someone else said get a fq and give it a try. you never know till you try and you could always trade with someone who does machine piecing.

Lori S

I think having the right needle is key to handpiecing with batiks. I tried doing some needle turn applique , and my hand hurt so bad after only a few inches , I gave up.
So I will be watching this thread to see if anyone has guidance on what needle works best when doing hand work with batiks.

sahm4605

I would think that a very thin one would work best. i know that it does with the bindings.

Hinterland

I use straw needles when I hand piece. I like the length. But I also use the smallest one I can find, a size 12.

There are some needles that have bigger eyes, and they give me more trouble pulling the needle through.

For applique I've been using Clover Black Gold sharps. They are very pricey, but they do seem to glide through the fabric better. My next needle treat will be a pack of Black Gold betweens.

Janet

QandE2010

I don't hand quilt anymore (too hard on my hands and back), but I do work with Batiks a lot. I love them. I do ALWAYS wash them prior to use, though, as some of them have a tendency to bleed out. (Even the ones that I paid $14. a yard for.) Good luck.