Does anyone have any design ideas for a quilt using batiks? I would prefer a design that is not too challenging, (have ony quilted for 3yrs.) Thank you.

Hello and welcome from Germany :). Did you try a search on the board? There are several pictures of batik quilts, I am sure.

any quilt design you like will work...batiks are just another cotton fabric, you can make any pattern you like- really- split rail, log cabin, star blocks, bearpaw, maple leaf, jacobs ladder,
go to quilters cache and scroll through all the free blocks you can make any of them you want.
visit some of the batik websites that also sell kits/patterns for more inspiration...like 'batik's plus'-

Here's one that I'm working on now. Have one ( :roll: maybe 2 more) rows to put on & then the border. It looks like stained glass when I hold it up! This is my first quilt with batiks

Thank you very much for your help. I will be sure to try those.. I was unsure if tradtional designs would not work well with batiks. ..but maybe they will.

You can google quilt patterns or free quilt patterns and find many, many ideas.

Izaquilter, I love you quilt! the colors are awsesome.

Very nice, and inspiring!! TY

An pattern you like will work with batiks! The most important thing to be aware of is that batiks have a tighter weave than most quilting cottons. Using a Sharp type of machine needle rather than a general purpose needle works well with batiks. Good luck with your quilt!!

Thank you, I did not know that about the needle. I have a Janome.. so is there a special needle or just a "new one"?

Hello and welcome from Oklahoma.

A new 75/11 ( instead of the usual 90/14) size would pierce the fabric well.

welcome!

Thank you so much.. it's amazing how much I don't know.. being a somewhat new quilter (3rys).. Always something new to learn..and folks like you are nice to share your knowledge.

Hello from South Carolina. I enjoy the color changes you get when using batiks.

I have about 20 different batiks ..all 1/4 yd. I bought them in sets of 5.....so 5 match with each other..and another 5 match with each other..but altogether, not so much.
It will be a challenge to say the least to find a pattern that will work with these patterns.

Some people are purists and will use only batiks on a 'batik project'. I'm with those who like to mix and match. Batiks can work superbly well with calmer prints and blenders.

Just saying because if you want, you could consider all of your stash, not just your batiks... :)

How about this? http://www.maryquilts.com/boxed-squares/

If you Search this message board for Boxed Squares, there's lots of pics of that pattern made by board members in different colorways. In a quilt like that your fabrics don't need to match each other.

Forgot to mention, there have been two batik block swaps on this board recently. Scroll through those and you'll literally dozens of pics of mostly traditional blocks made with batiks:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-41012-1.htm
and
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-57601-1.htm

I had a bunch of scraps of batiks that were the width of fabric and cut 2 1/2" strips and made a strip tube quilt. I am so pleased with the outcome. I had enough left over of at least 2" inch strips to began making the Fabric Fling which uses 2" strips.