Thread: How do you choose a batik?

Originally Posted by AtHomeSewing

Batiks are my favorite! :)

For me it's all about color, lots of color. Texture also plays a part. There are certain brands that I know are good: Island Batik and Hoffman are probably my favorites.

I primarily get batiks which may have colors but which "read" as being one color. I prefer batiks that also have texture (pattern), but I don't care for the big Chop patterns with high contrast. The watercolors also have their place. I usually buy without a particular plan for what I'm going to do. If I see a GREAT one I buy it on the spot because it seems no two bolts are ever same, once it's gone, it's gone!

This stash drawer nearly all batiks.

I agree with everything athome said, and since I did, I think she should send me that drawer full of yummies! :wink:

I LOVE batik's!!! Thoes are my favorite greta textures, great patterns great colors !!!!! Batik's rock!!!!!!

Originally Posted by bob1414

Hi,
I never mix batik and non-batik - I don't like that and nobody in my friend's store bought batik to mix with non-batik either.

Are you saying you would never mix batiks with non batiks in a single quilt? I think you are limiting yourself, you can get some absolutely breathtaking results mixing batik with non batik. Here is a link to a post of my quilt Stardancing with the kitties. It is about 80 to 90 % batik but I think mixing batiks with non batiks can make striking results!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/24639.page

BTW, I love Batiks as well. I use them as compliments to focus fabrics and for stash building. Sometimes I see a batik that "speaks" to me and I have to have it. Depth of color and color value is probably what draws me to them. I also go for feel, if it feels overly stiff I will tend to avoid because I also hand quilt and batiks are difficult enough as is to needle by hand. I am not familiar enough with manufacturers to offer an opinion. I know a lot of my batiks are Hoffman but many, many more I bought as fat quarters and am absolutely clueless who the manufacturer was.

I agree with feline fanatic. I just yesterday dropped off two quilts at the longarmer and each had a mix of batiks and non-batiks. I think they are two of the best quilts I have made (I'm an advanced beginner) in terms of color.

I had no idea batiks came in the 108" width...I'm pretty sure my LQS doesn't carry it...yet.

When I first started quilting, I was always drawn to the batiks. I loved...and still do...the range of color and texture. Over the past few years, though, I've gotten out of my 'comfort zone' and am trying other colors/textures and am having a great time.

As for mixing batiks and non-batiks, my sister has a knockout quilt given to her as a gift for her 50th birthday (given by fellow quilters, I might add) and it has some beautiful mixtures of both types of fabric. It's a Square In A Square Pattern set on point and my goal is to try one some day.

As far as choosing batiks...I go with what 'speaks' to me and if I have a certain project in mind...Right now if I were shopping for batiks, I'd gravitate toward the loviest autumn shades I could find.

Jojo