I have a small collection of batiks. Mostly scraps from making quilts for my mom... she loves batiks. A new, sharp, quilting needle is a good idea when you start quilting. Because of the tight weave, you can hear a dull needle pierce the fabric with every stitch.- Don't make your machine work harder than it needs to.
I've also discovered that I'm not fond of English Paper Piecing with batiks. The tight weave makes it much more work. I'll stick to quilting cottons for my EPP.