Hand Binding batik fabric
 

Glue that seam in place using Elmer's glue. Press it flat. Then SITD from the completed side. That will finish your binding nicely, and you can put away your hand sewing for this quilt. Use the correct color threads, and no one will ever notice.

Check the needle you are using. It needs to be a very sharp skinny needle to work well. Using beeswax on your thread can be helpful as well.
I have never tried using starch on batiks so that may be what is making it more difficult.

I needle turned batiks a long time ago and thought it worked great. Haven't had trouble with binding.
I agree with mom-6.......try a new needle or machine sew it, whatever works to get the job done.

It's been my experience starch or no starch ... its really tough to hand stitch a batik binding. I say go for the invisible thread ( probably smoke color would be best) and stitch in the ditch.

Have you tried roxanne needles. I use their applique needles and it glides right through my bindings, Im sure they have other types

Invisible thread is a nightmare when I try to use it to hand quilt. It is the needle as suggested above. Be sure to use a sharp and not between type.

I use a small thin sharp needle to bind batiks...or do any hand sewing with batiks. they are a tighter weave than we normally find with our quilting cottons. I do not generally starch my batiks, find no reason to they press so nicely with a little steam- but a good, new sharp fine needle should make a difference. personally I hate machine stitched bindings so I always hand stitch them unless the quilt is for a charity that requires a machine stitched one.

Keep testing needles till you find one that goes thru easily. I stitch only the back on my batik bindings by hand. The front is machine stitched. Plus, I just stitch the back fabric and the edge of the binding so, it isn't going thru the entire thickness.

I'm hand quilting a quilt now that has one batik fabric. I've hand quilted batiks numerous times in the past. I must say, though, this particular fabric is behaving as many have mentioned about batiks previously. Oy vey! My fingers feel like pin cushions must! Admittedly, my Roxanne is not a new needle which would probably help. Otherwise, I've never had issues quilting or binding with batiks.

I agree. I am doing mug rug with 1.75" double fold binding so it is a very snug. Having no problem with the batiks. Just catch a few threads on the fold of the binding. Use very sharp & skinny needles. Good luck !!

Be sure NOT to get the glue where your needle should go through! I've not had trouble with sewing batiks by hand but avoid going through dried glue at all costs! I use it, but carefully.

Glue and Needles, Oh My!
 

Thank you for that reminder. Knowing me, I would not even have thought that out.

I like these needles for bindings - nice and smooth. I also like silk thread as it glides through the fabric nicely.

I have never had trouble with hand sewing batiks. You may need a thimble and a different needle selection. I use a very sharp, slim and a bit longer than a regular quilting needle. I can't remember the size right now but try a few different sizes as long as the thread fits you will find a needle that works for you. It should not be a struggle.
peace