Batik Anxiety
#22
I am trying to decide what my next project will be and am confused and hesitant. I love batik fabrics and have a small stash but have never used them. Batik fabric is wonderful just to look at and I don't want to waste them. Any suggestions on selecting a pattern using batiks and/or caring for the fabric when using them would be very helpful.
Quit spazzing about the fabric being batik. Find a pattern you really like and use it.
#23
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 91
Be aware that batiks cost more than other cottons; may bleed (after all, that's why we bought them as clothing many years ago); come in "real" Indonesian vs. Hoffman, etc; and those from Connecting Threads are less expensive and considerably lighter weight (probably good for applique, which I don't do much of). That said, I must confess I am a batik collector and have more of it than almost all other fabrics combined--and my stash is LARGE. Other fabric has to be special categories (cats, cute children's, perfect for a modern quilt, etc.) for me to even consider it.
#24
If you're like me you will fall in love with your batiks all over again when you start sewing with them!
One of the most dramatic patterns I've seen that almost demands batiks to get the full effect is one called Island Chain. It uses yardage of your light background color and then jelly roll strips to form the chains. Wasn't difficult either. Hardest part was which color to put where for most balanced look as I did not use as many different batiks as the one illustrated.
One of the most dramatic patterns I've seen that almost demands batiks to get the full effect is one called Island Chain. It uses yardage of your light background color and then jelly roll strips to form the chains. Wasn't difficult either. Hardest part was which color to put where for most balanced look as I did not use as many different batiks as the one illustrated.
#25
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
I personally love batiks and currently have a stash waiting to make a Boston Commons quilt all in batiks. I'd seen one done on the cover of a quilt magazine several years ago made by Helen Weinman from Heartbeat Quilts, so now I just need to finish some UFO's and quilts for family so I can make MY OWN QUILT. LOL. Personally, I love the feel of them, but I would definitely prewash them before using, just to be safe, although to tell you the truth, I have had some quilting cotton fabrics run more than batiks.
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,572
omgosh...I rarely don't use batiks!...they are so beautiful and rich in color...I never wash in anything but cold water, I use shout color catchers during the first two washes, and I only dry on delicate or light cycle...hope you given them a chance :-)
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natalieg
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12-24-2010 01:42 PM