gollytwo

I use titanium coated needles from Superior Threads for all my machine piecing. They are very sharp and last a very long time.
Universal needles have a rounded, not sharp, point so don't sew densely woven fabric easily.

Tartan

Some batiks seem to be denser than others. They are my first choice for raw edge appliqué for that reason because they resist fraying. I have not tried piecing with them and I hope you can struggle through.

sahm4605

I use batiks all the time and have never had a problem, except for user error. I even hand sew the binding to the back of quilts where both binding and backing are batiks and find I like to sew them more than non batiks fabric.

Annaquilts

I have had problems quilting all batik front and back quilts. I use schmetz top stich needles 90/14 for quilting and schmetz micro tech sharp 11/75 for piecing batiks. I think the weave can be very thight and cause problems. The fabric was washed Hoffman batiks. Indeed a straight stich plate can help or a vintage machine that has a straight stitch plate because it is straight stitch only.

rjwilder

I use a Schmetz Microtex Sharp needle 130/75 H-M , Size 80/12. I get them at JoAnn's, I mainly sew batiks and never have had a problem. I took a quilting class, the instructor had us use batiks and this needle.

LynnVT

I think the term batik includes a lot of different fabrics. Some are very thickly and closely woven, others are thinner and loose. It's really used more for a style of fabric, so you never know for sure. I've used lots of Hoffman and Moda batiks, and never had this problem. Recently bought some less expensive but lovely batik at Ben Franklins and had to wash, and rinse, and wash and rinse multiple times to stop excessive bleed. It sewed quite normally though. Good luck with your project.

mom-6

I haven't had any problems at all with any of the batiks I've used either with hand stitching or on my cheapie Brother from Walmart or with my Featherweight. In fact I find batiks extremely easy to sew.

SueSew

I'm surprised you are having trouble with batik fabric dulling your needle. It does have a very fine, dense weave which I find thoroughly delightful. It seems to know its place when you press it, and my blocks lie flat without the seam allowances coming unpressed. Of course I am not a great machine quilter so perhaps that's why I don't notice any issues there. And I am not a speed quilter. I do use the smaller size sharp for piecing and a larger quilting or topstitch needle for machine quilting.

Good luck with your unruly batiks! I hope the next batch is better.

Grace creates

I just love batiks. Try the straight stitch needle plate and pre-wash. These seem like the best suggestions.

alwayslearning

I also use Schmetz Top Stitch needles on the Singer Q (not exactly top of the line). I both wash and not. And I am addicted to batiks. Sometimes, when we expect difficulties they appear. Perhaps, you have felt that batiks are difficult to work with and your fears manifested themselves. Can you take a break to work on something else and go back fresh? Good luck!