I usually don't have a problem hand quilting on batiks - in fact I like the way the stitches look on them. The only time they've given me grief is if there's a batik on the back - then it felt like I needed a jack hammer to get the needle through.

In your shoes, I would loosen the tension on the quilt, and keep trying different needles. Instead of hoping for 10-12 stitches, go for bigger stitches. Try quilting on the bias - it has some natural give to it, where straight of grain would be harder because it doesn't stretch.

I have found that some fabrics are harder to quilt through than others. While batiks are good for me, some Kona solids are hard. Not all of them, just some. Who knew?

Janet

I think that batiks have a tighter weave that other fabrics.

I learned a long time ago not to use batiks in something I am handquilting. I love the way they look but not the way they feel. They are very hard to handquilt through. I save them for purses and small machine quilted items. The only time I might use them in a piece I would be handquilting is if they were very small pieces of applique. 40 years ago when I started quilting it was common for people to try and use a sheet for the back of a quilt. Unless you were using a sheet with a very low thread count that was not a good idea. You will be able to make a much smaller stitch and more stitches on your needle with a looser woven fabric.

That is the problem. I have batik on the back also. I have used it in small amounts before, but this entire quilt is batik. It is gorgeos, but never again. It does feel like I need a jack hammer.

I have tried 4 different types of needles and even tried not using a hoop. Thank goodness it is small. I am going out today and buy platinum needles.

Gal, after thinking about it last night, I had an aha moment and I came to the same conclusion, after I thought about the process of making batiks.