I'm finishing up a BOM all done in batiks and I love that the fabric being a tighter weave doesn't seem to ravel as much. As to the pin/needle holes, don't fret about it as you can just mist a little water on them and press them out. Once its quilted you won't even notice them. Also I find, at least with these batiks, not one of them bled when I put them thru the starch.