Batik Anxiety
 

I am trying to decide what my next project will be and am confused and hesitant. I love batik fabrics and have a small stash but have never used them. Batik fabric is wonderful just to look at and I don't want to waste them. Any suggestions on selecting a pattern using batiks and/or caring for the fabric when using them would be very helpful.

No advice on a pattern, but I encourage you to jump in and use it. Batiks are so pretty, both in fabric form and when incorporated into a project.

IMHO Any pattern looks nice in batiks, from a classic sampler to a modern quilt. Google images of batik quilts or look here, there is loads of batik inspiration. I use batiks a lot and mix and match them with regular print fabrics.

Start here:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t221823.html

Now go forth and use those beautiful batiks!

I have loved making several of the "Boxed Squares" pattern. It is very easy and impressive when you use a lot of different colors. This is one that I call "Tropical Nights". It is ALL BATIKS front and back.

Any pattern can be used with Batiks. Batiks are very tightly woven so .. a delight in terms of raveling. They do have a reputation for bleeding and I would not trust any of them not to bleed. Prewash and double rinse prior to cutting ! I have been to Bali... trust me .. you NEED to Prewash! The conditions these are made in... really makes prewashing a very wise choice.
Use the basics of color selection as you would for any quilt... lights, mediums and darks !

As already said, there are such lovely batiks - they would look good in MOST patterns. I used them in my sampler quilt and can tell you there is not one square I am not crazy about. Go for it!!!

Pre-wash like the above posters advised. Probably at least 1/2 of them bleed - some are horrible to get to stop bleeding. I just swished mine very gently in my pure white dishpan with a drop or two of liquid soap in lukewarm water and then rinsed in cool water. If they did not bleed, then I rolled them up in big thirsty towels and line dried - did not bother to iron then. Not much wrinkling that way. Some never did stop bleeding so threw at least two pieces away. The dark blues are the worse ones to bleed.

I got a beautiful black and gold piece of batik from a lady on here and it did not appear to have been washed, so I proceeded to wash it the minute that I got it and the color of the water was tea colored. Not too dark. I then emailed her and told her that the fabric arrived here in the mail and that I had already washed it and that it did not bleed too much - she was surprised, because she had prewashed it.

I love batiks and probably use them more than any other fabric. They work well with most patterns, although if your pattern itself relies on color placement for the pattern to show correctly, you may want a more solid than multi colored batik to showcase the pattern properly. I love some of the traditional patterns done in batiks - it gives a modern twist to them.

As for care - from FQ to yardage I prewash using color catchers. When using precut strips, charms, etc. I do not prewash them. I usually throw a few color catchers in the wash with all of my quilts when they are done.

I was going to mention it but you beat me to it. I think it's perfect for batiks and any fabric you want to SEE in a quilt. Here's a pretty one. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2795/4...421dcaed_z.jpg

I use to feel the same way about batik fabric. I kept putting off using them because they were so nice. My DD asked me one day why I didn't use the fabric she gave me, didn't I like it? It was a beautiful tower of batiks. I decided then that it was foolish to have them sitting there when they could be in a quilt. I have lots of batik scraps in my scrap bin now and it doesn't bother me at all.

It's just fabric, and there will always be more. What are you saving it for? Go ahead and use it!

Go for it. I love batiks. When you do your designing, I would look at the overall color of the fabric and not particularly the individual designs in the batiks.

Batiks are so beautiful that they help me want to quilt! Remember there are many more to buy...use the ones you have and then find some new ones you like even more! I mix them with fabric, sometimes do all batik quilts. All patterns work...pick one you like and show us when you are done.

Thanks for all your suggestions, looking through the quilt gallery for some ideas. Really like some of the jewel box quilts.

Boston1954, that quilt is beautiful! I also love Batiks! So pretty.

Definitely wash in Retayne before using them. It will help prevent bleeding.

I did a Diamond Patch http://www.anniescatalog.com/detail....15&cat_id=1744 in batiks. Pretty simple pattern with your blocks put on point.

When you prewash your quilts, do you wash in cold, warm or hot water?

I use Batiks in just about everything I make-LOVE it. I do prewash my fabrics with warm water, color catchers, and Retayne if the colors are dark. I think you can use Batiks in any pattern and they will add the wow!

I've seen Storm at Sea done in batiked greens and blues... absolutely TO DIE FOR!!

Be sure to prewash, some bleed a bit.
Quit spazzing about the fabric being batik. Find a pattern you really like and use it.

Be aware that batiks cost more than other cottons; may bleed (after all, that's why we bought them as clothing many years ago); come in "real" Indonesian vs. Hoffman, etc; and those from Connecting Threads are less expensive and considerably lighter weight (probably good for applique, which I don't do much of). That said, I must confess I am a batik collector and have more of it than almost all other fabrics combined--and my stash is LARGE. Other fabric has to be special categories (cats, cute children's, perfect for a modern quilt, etc.) for me to even consider it.

If you're like me you will fall in love with your batiks all over again when you start sewing with them!

One of the most dramatic patterns I've seen that almost demands batiks to get the full effect is one called Island Chain. It uses yardage of your light background color and then jelly roll strips to form the chains. Wasn't difficult either. Hardest part was which color to put where for most balanced look as I did not use as many different batiks as the one illustrated.

I personally love batiks and currently have a stash waiting to make a Boston Commons quilt all in batiks. I'd seen one done on the cover of a quilt magazine several years ago made by Helen Weinman from Heartbeat Quilts, so now I just need to finish some UFO's and quilts for family so I can make MY OWN QUILT. LOL. Personally, I love the feel of them, but I would definitely prewash them before using, just to be safe, although to tell you the truth, I have had some quilting cotton fabrics run more than batiks.

I'm just starting a "Jewel box" quilt with Batiks. Like you, I have had them for awhile and could not decide what to make. My first time using Batiks. Hope it turns out Ok.

I plan to do a stained glass quilt in the future and plan to use all batiks.

I love the Shadowbox quilt. Where can I get the pattern for the quilt you showed?

Where can I find details of making a Shadowbox quilt? Thank you for any information.

omgosh...I rarely don't use batiks!...they are so beautiful and rich in color...I never wash in anything but cold water, I use shout color catchers during the first two washes, and I only dry on delicate or light cycle...hope you given them a chance :-)

The New York Beauty is just fabulous with a wide variety of batiks!!!!!

http://madanquilting.blogspot.com/20...-tutorial.html

S

Hi Kala ~ Thank-you so very much for sharing the link to the Shadow Box tutorial!!!!!

Batiks are my FAVORITE. I just love the colors and the variegation in each piece. Don't be afraid of batiks. No matter what you quilt, it will be beautiful!!

The only advice I would give is not to hand quilt them. I made 2 and I will never do it again. Too hard on the hands. Vi

If you can use the Quilt Wizard App, you can test drive your batiks. It's well worth the price of the app.
Most batiks look beautiful together anyway, and I think you'll love whatever you do.

I too love looking at batiks but am scared to jump in. I need to take the plunge and get over this unreasonable fear.

I admit to being a batik aholic and I make darn near everything out of them. Recently did a Jacobs ladder. a trip around the world and a barjello.YOu can use batiks for what ever pleases your fancy.

I highlighted a section of your post. To me, not using a beautiful fabric is more of a waste, then using it and realized it didn't work out as you intended. Fabric is made to make something; unless it is displayed as art, it is not the end product. Batiks can be used in ANY pattern, and can be mixed with non-batik fabric. Just pick the quilt you want to make.


For those I really didn't want to cut them up, so I picked my 3 favorites, stretched them over art canvas and hung them like the paintings they are.

I agree that batiks need to be pre washed, detayne worked on the ones that kept on bleeding endlessly. I am of the opinion that batiks work best to create a mood on a quilt.