Originally Posted by
hopetoquilt
Were the batiks washed? If you are LAQing for someone who didn't prewash and you add water or another liquid... bleeding could occur. I just read an article in the newest Fons and Porter Love of Quilting Magazine that has a good article on tension problems. They specifically stated that batiks are more tightly woven and are harder for the needle to go through. I think this means a larger needle is in order but I am not sure. You may want to look at the article for more ideas.
Instead of a larger needle maybe jus a different type. I know a longarmer who only uses sharps to quilt with and one who uses topstitch. I don't have a longarm so I don't really qualify like the rest but I quilted batik with my mega quilter and didn't have any problems at all; my fabric was pre washed.