I'll probably get yelled at for this one, but I don't like batik fabrics. I don't like the way they feel, it's like they're super stiff, don't really like the way they handle, and I just in general don't see what's so great about them. To be fair, I have purchased a few from all over, some I pre-washed and others I didn't to see if there was a difference.

What do you like about batik?
What's so great?
Why do you like them?

make me like them!! I see so many pretty quilts with them, but I just don't know.. am I defective or the only quilter here that doesn't like them?

I don't care for batik fabrics either.

I use batiks to fit specific situations, but don't use them a lot. There are some beautiful color variations in many of the, and in small pieces, you don't notice that they feel different from other fabrics. I'm not trying to make you love them, because you, and I, save money by not using them - about a dollar a yard.

I wasn't a fan of batiks until I saw a quilt with the Tonga line of batiks, that hooked me in to give them a chance. I like how the colors blend and create different looks depending on how you look at them. You can take 5" blocks and make the coolest twister blankets ever and no two ever be the same. You can cut a batik into pieces and not find the same color, it creates a unique perspective of color.

Exactly!

I didn't used to like them, but I saw some of the color blends and shades, and some of the quilts made from them, and I came to appreciate them. I know what you mean about the feel of the fabric. It is different. I think it has to do with the dye or dying process. But I have come to love the colors so much that I overlook that part of them.

This is a funny thread. I never liked them either until I saw some of the stunning designs and worked with a couple and then I fell in love with them!!
I've come to love so many things since joining the board that I never knew I liked.
My wallet is skinnier these days lol :D

I guess I would have to agree. I do like them when someone else puts them in quilts, but on a bold they don't attract me.

I am not a big fan of most batiks. Connecting Threads' line of "Swirl" batiks are really pretty and I bought all of those...but those were the only batiks I saw that I really wanted. There have been several beautiful quilts on here made from batiks and many of them, I am just in awe of...but most batiks don't "turn my crank". *shrug*

i like to look at them but dont use them

Never noticed them, till I needed them! I needed a soft yellow to go on the back of a quilt. I am not a fan of yellow, after spending an hour in the store having my daughter keep sayin "what about this one?", and me keep saying no. everyone was annoyed, and there it was! A beautiful soft yellow, with a subtle polka dot pattern. It was a batik, $10 a yard! Ouch, had to wait till I got a coupon!
Now I just love them. The colors are not over powering. I get a variation in color and pattern. I use Lil Miss batiks. I like the way they feel, soft like a sheet. The colors are through and through, so no matter what side of the fabric I am on, it is still beautiful.

I didn't like then at first but now I have a quilt with matching pillow cases and curtains in my room. I bought the batiks at WM when they had them last summer. I can't afford them but if I find a really good price like the Hancocks of Paducah remnants bin then I purchase them.

I have been sewing/quilting with batiks for a long time ...way over 15 years. There has been so much that changed in what is available. I have seen some batiks that would not be used to wash my car as I would not want to be seen with such a .. fabric. But there are others that are just amazing!
Many times its the selection that you are exposed to that forms your opinion. I have seen some pretty shabby choices, and wonder what was the buyer thinking!! when there are better selections.
My intrigue is the way the dye is dipsersed and resist to form shades and depth with out printing a whole seperate color/shade as in traditional fabrics. I got my feet wet so to speak using the type that are singular in color like the Hoffman 1895 , and worked into others as I felt more confident and needed to experiement. There are some great patterns that have been developed just to showcase batiks.
As for the feel many do feel a bit different in your hand but i think that is becasue there is still a bit of the resist remaining in the fabric. After a good wash they are soft , and can perform well because of the tight weave. A good batik will not ravel nearly as much as a traditional cotton..
I make many a quilt for family and freinds who like quilts but do not like the "Country" or a "traditional" looking quilt.

I am not fond of batiks either. they are hard to machine quilt on for one thing, they are stiffer than most other fabric and just don't feel "cushy"

I have never bought any, I have seen some amazing quilts made with them but they are not my style either.

P.S.
Still diggin the fairy avatar.....

I think it depends on the quilt design. I have seen many quilts with batiks and they are beautiful.

I have loved batiks from the moment I first saw them. Now granted all batiks are not pretty. I like the way the colors and patterns change as you look at different sections of the same fabric. I really like the ones that seem to shimmer. They look tropical to me and I am a big fan of almost anything tropical. I'm not a fan of traditional or country looking fabrics. I guess they make so many types of fabrics because there are so many different people wanting them. :)

LOL, another one who didnt like them at first. Plus I thought they cost too much....but after I saw a few quilts I just fell in love. They remind me of watercolors.

I do not like all batiks..the shades of color and subtleness of the pattern are what I look for. If they are too garish, I don't like it.

I have made 2 quilts using all batiks, and loved how they came out

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-87502-1.htm

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-87502-1.htm

I am very picky about my batiks. I am just starting a Baltimore Album BOM, and I selected all batiks to do it with. The color differences give such texture and definition to quilts, and I think the Baltimore type appliques will look just marvelous with multi=colored fabrics.

It is like every other line of fabric, some I love, some I like and some I just don't care for.

I think there are some very pretty batiks and some very ugly ones too, i dont' care for them all, but some i love.

I have not made anything with them yet but I got some of Connecting Threads and I really like them just trying to figure out what to make, so many patterns can't make up my mind.

Terri

I don't care for batiks either and have only 1 fat quarter in my stash and that's only because it was in a grab bag given at one of the shop hops :oops:

I love them, it's mostly visual. As for machine quilting them, I have no problem. I dislike printed fabrics since I started using batiks...they just look amateurish to me. Batiks speak to me, visually they flow like water, they're earthy to me. Yeah, maybe I'm nuts. LOL

I have really never liked batiks either

I use batiks in applique quilts, gives shading & blending for florals,, the stiffnes does help with fraying, & I agree, they are harder to needle, I change needles more often when working with them.

I think it's like everything else, the quality of the fabric is important. The better companies do sell nice fabric, while discount shops often sell the lower quality.

I love them for applique, they don't ravel and there is no right or wrong side. Some think they are too dense to hand quilt but I found using a quality needle they applique like butter and hold a sharp crease line. I test all the dark colors ones for bleeding but so far haven't had a problem.

I love batiks! Their bright colors brighten up many of my quilts! I usually hand dye a lot of my fabric, though, so I can control the quality of the fabric. I agree that many of the batiks are thin, or stiff, or fade a lot. That is why/how I got into dyeing my own.

I don't use them alot, but I do like them...They ravel very little, you don't have to worry about a wrong or right side....As far as the stiffness, I like that, makes sewing the pieces together easier, at least I think it does....Batiks have many wonderful colors, I especially love the jewel tone Batiks....A friend of mine is in Bali, Indonesia on vacation and will be bringing me some back.....:)

San
FL

The best advice I ever had was from a quilt teacher, Nancy Lee Chong. She said to wash three times the first with Cinthrapal(sp)then two more times and then press and use. The fabric has more threads per inch and has such brilliant colors.

I've been so drawn to these lately I just don't care for my traditional fabrics anymore. I have one more quilt to do for someone in regular fabric then I think I'm going to stay with batiks. I just started buying them up for a stash and I love them!! Can't wait to play with these! I'm selling off my stash in my Etsy shop so I can replace them all with batiks!

I love batiks...... BUT will never make another quilt with them..... For me they are hard to work with because the weave is so tight. Much rather work with regular cotton....

if you don't like it then don't use it. there are plenty of other fabrics that work as well.

Why are they so great? COLOR!!!!!!
If you like bright, beautiful, clear color, Batik is the way to go. If you like soft, subtle color they have those, too.
It is all about color.

Is your Avatar not Batik?
MK

I absolutely love batiks. Just like any other fabric, there are grades and qualities. I would say the very stiff ones are of a much lesser quality than the soft/drapey ones. I have used both but the stiffer to a lesser degree. They flow, they live, they delight my eye.

I guess I am just such a newbie that I love it all! I am definitely in the honeymoon stage of liking any and all fabric that I see.

I think Batiks are really striking and can create such a beautiful effect when used properly.

I love batiks and bright colors. I've never made a quilt entirely of batiks but maybe someday ...

Please don't think of it as a 'stage.' The joy of working with all kinds of fabric can be a way of life. Sometimes we struggle with pieces that don't appeal, but the fun can be in the challenge. You are in a great position!

Batiks are my favorite. Most of my stash is batiks. I love the colors and patterns. And I especially love sewing with them. They don't ravel or stretch making them easier to cut and piece then regular quilt fabric.