Quilting with batiks
 

I'm a hand piecer and hand quilter. I read somewhere that it's difficult to hand quilt with batiks. Has anyone ever used batik for the quilt top and then used 100% cotton for the backing. Wonder if this would work better for hand quilting.

I've never hand pieced a batik quilt. I've machine pieced then handquilted a batik quilt. I used a cotton backing. It was still a little more difficult hand quilting thru the batik but it's doable. I think using batik for the backing may make it really difficult (just my humble opinion).

I've hand quilted a batik top with a muslin backing without difficulty. I wouldn't use my hand-quilting time on batik fabric where the quilting design wouldn't show. I've done machine and hand quilting go the same quilt. Don't tell the Quilt Police!

I am hand quilting a Pacific Rim Hawaiian quilt. I am having one heck of a time. After talking with Nancy Chong @ a quilt show I learned never put a batik backing on a batik quilt!!!!!!!

I have not hand pieced with batiks but I have hand quilted them with regular fabric for backing and have also used flannel backing. One I had a pieced backing that had a very small square of batik on the back as well. No problems but I do feel regular quilting cottons are easier to needle. Think the difference of room temperature butter vs butter straight out of the fridge. This is a bit extreme but it is much easier to spread room temp butter on to warm toast than it is cold. Both are quite doable, one just takes a wee bit more effort. Kind of the same with hand quilting batiks I do use batiks for hand applique and I love using them for applique, mostly for the color selections but they tend to not ravel very easily either which is very nice for needle turn and prepared hand applique. I use a Roxanne applique needle and silk thread for this and have no problems.

Have used batiks in quilt tops plenty. Don't recall using any for backing. Hand quilter as well and have never had issues with the batiks. Just make sure you're using a new, sharp needle and you should be fine.