How do you choose a batik?
#21
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
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.
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.
#23
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
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.
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.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/24639.page
#24
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
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.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 851
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.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SW Minnesota
Posts: 1,590
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
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
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