Their 108" Batik backing fabric is gorgeous! And a great selection, more than I've seen elsewhere. The only prices I saw were for $9.99 for a half yard. Do they have any for less that I missed?

I use a LOT of batiks for my quilts. What I have started to do is to make extra blocks from the pattern on the front and then mix them with a GOOD quality wide muslin (either white or natural) for the backs. They look very custom and my quilter is delighted about quilting them since her beautiful quilting shows up so well on the backs.

Sometimes they do have sales - get on their mailing list. They also usually have a booth at the large quilt shows. I LOVE their flannel!

I personally don't like using regular batik fabrics for the backs of quilts. The fabric has such a tight weave that the needle breaks the threads instead of going between the threads. I hear a Pop-Pop-Pop while stitching as those threads break. With the SewBatik backs, the weave is like regular quilt-shop quality fabrics.

I took a couple of classes with Laurie Shiffrin who uses batiks almost exclusively in her quilts. She uses 'jeans' needles when sewing batiks so I gave it a try and it really does make a difference. Helps the needle go through the fabric much easier.

I think that you can use whatever you want to use. After all, in the old days, quilts were made with whatever was on hand. Go with what suits you best. Unless of course, you are shooting for a prizewinning quilt, then refer to the experts.

I've used "Shadowplay" by Maywood Studio on the backs of my batik quilts and they look fine!! Comes in (I think) almost 200 different colors and it's kind of "marbled" so I think it blends well with batik fronts.

I can see how Shadowplay would work well for backing. I'll see what I can find.

Thanks!

They are correct on the mixing in the top part. Since batiks are heavily washed they do not shrink like other cottons. They are also dyed on a tighter woven Griege good.
BUT, you do NOT need a batik on the back! I would just make sure and wash your backing really well, and then use a batik for the binding!

Wow! I'm in trouble. I am making a baby pinwheel for my DIL's 1st baby. I mixed batiks and other cottons and then have a batik for the backing. I think I hear the quilt police. Where can I hide? I haven't been quilting long and had never heard any of those batik "rules". I hope the quilt isn't all messed up. I did prewash and even used vinegar to set the colors. I guess it will be a lesson learned.

They do have a point about a potential difference in rates of shrinkage. But to me, the solution would be obvious: pre-wash all the fabrics going into the top, get all the shrinking that is going to happen done with and then go for it!

You can even use sheets for the backing. Go for it!!

You can mix that's fine. My only suggestion since you are mixing fabrics is to wash them; if you didn't do it before you made the quilt do it before you put the backing on. If there is any shrinkage you want it to happen before you quilt it

you are not in trouble. you have prewashed both fabrics ahead of time so the shrinkage is out of the cotton as well. You can mix both cottons and batiks and they look fabulous. I have used all different fabrics for the backing, not sheets or muslin though not good in my opinion, even minkie which quilts nice. It all depends on what you want to quilt thru. The nice thing is the quilt will wear better because of the batik fabric in it. You are going good.

It probably has already been suggested but.....
If you calculate the amount of fabric you need of the wide backing vs the amount for 44" you might find the wide is less expensive. I recently got some wide backing for $10 per yd. It took 3.5 yds for my quilt. It cost me $35.
If I had bought 44" it woud have taken 10.5 yds
and even at 8$ per yd that would have been over $80.

As a futher suggestion on the 108" backing. Any longarmer loves one pieced backs. I do longarm work and when I use the 108" wide back, it quilts so nice. Pieced backs work well also, but I prefer the 108" backs. Do I buy them, not always because I still have to watch prices as well. There is a local quilt shop that takes Joann Fabric coupons so can pickup yardage at 40 to 50% off. Helps out. I know, our quilt tops sit there because we need to afford the rest of the materials to finish it. No wonder we get so many tops done.

The batik quilt I am planning to make uses the 2 1/2 strips, and I bought a couple of Bali Pops packs. Pre-washing them may not be the best idea. But your suggestion to wash the finished pieced quilt top before it's quilted, and wash whatever quilt backing I use, is probably a very good plan. Thanks!

I'm with you. I think the wide backings are really a nice cost savings. I'm just used to paying $12 - $14 for wide backing. The $17.99 a yard for Batik backing made me pause.

Good heavens! The batiks at my LQS are around $10 a yard you might want to shop elsewhere maybe online. I made a quilt with batiks and used a dyed cotton on the back it had shades of blue it was cheaper only $5 a yard but nice fabric.

its ok to mix regular cotton a d batik on the top as long as you prewash both fabrics and use whatever you whant on the back its your quilt.

I haven't read thru all the comments, (apologize for that now) but just wanted to mention remember with 108" fabric your're getting 3 yards(108") in width for one yard of fabric so for 3 yard by 3 yard piece (108" x 108") and about 51.00 you are getting a backing you would almost pay that or more for enough 44" to make the backing.

I have mixed both fabrics and have had no problem with doing so. I did prewash all the fabrics though.
Judy

Thanks for this thread, I just finished a batik top and was wondering what to do for backing!

yes you can mix - no reason not to other than personal preference.
However, check the price per yd of the wide against the amount and price of 45" before you decide. Unless you get a really good deal the wide may be less. For instance. If you were making a 108" wide quilt then it will take about 3 yds of the wide fabric and at say 17.00 per yd - that is 51.00 If you were using 45 then you would need three widths. You would need 9 yds and at say $6 a yd (if you can find it at that) then it would cost $54.-- And much less work with the 108". So compare the price.
I recently got some wide batik for $10 per yd.

Look online. I have seen Hofman batik still in the $4-6 range.

I made a all batik quilt top and backed it with flannel...it turned out great...