I believe that most batiks have a tighter weave. Also the process of dying and using wax gives it a bit more toughness. I have had trouble ( a bit) with putting pins in. Some pins just don't want to pierce the batik fabric. I purchased some button head pins...just for cute. Was going to put a couple in a gift pin cushion. I discovered they are the SHARPEST pins I have found! I got them on the notions wall at JoAnns. Not with the quilting stuff, but by all the pins. Now they are my favorite pin.