GMTA! What you need to know is that they're like fabric crack... highly addictive!

Hoffman Bali Pops will bleed! I pre washed my Strawberry Fields strips and i'm glad I went to all the work because the water was very dark and I was working with a cream between designs. It's going to be a king size quilt.

In my opinion the only thing you need to know about batiks is you will fall in love with them. They sew nice, iron nice and have gorgeous colors. I use batiks almost exclusively because i love them. I don't prewash and throw a couple of color catchers in and don't have trouble with colors bleeding. Enjoy them.

They're just a little more 'tough' to sew through than ordinary cotton fabric. You might find them a bit hard on your fingers if you are hand sewing.

[QUOTE=QuiltE;5353661]Batiks are notorious for bleeding, so wash before cutting AND be sure to set the dyes with Retayne.


That's why I won't buy batiks. Beautiful but bleeders.

Batiks
 

Is it true there is no wrong side or right side to Batiks. :)

I don't have a ton of batiks, very few in fact, but have just started with a small group to get into art quilts. Now I am hooked. But I have noticed. Ripping out will leave holes, they press beautifully, tension may have to be adjusted. I used a 90/14 needle titanium by Superior Threads which made a difference for tension and look. But have fun with your new found batiks passion. I don't prewash and never had trouble, but I always use Retayne.

Thanks for posting the question. I've never used batiks and all this info has been very helpful

Make sure you have a new needle on. Batiks are hard on needles!!!

Remember the are almost identical on both sides of the fabric, so just be careful when piecing that you get the right pieces together. It's very easy to reverse them.