Is there a trick to
 

knowing which side of a batik is the "right" side? If I can't tell, no one else will be able to right?

The side you use is the 'right' side. You purchased both side! LOL Sorry, just had to say that. Yes, batiks are hard to see the differences and when it comes right down to it IMHO I use both. ONCE and awhile there is a 'slight' color difference, but you really don't see it on your galloping horse. Sorry I am not be THAT helpful.

lol If I have a hard time I figure no one will will no the difference

I don't have much experience with batiks yet, but recently used some that had a Southwestern theme....turtles and lizards and such. If I looked closely, I could see that the design edges on one side were not as crisp as the other side. So I chose the crisp side to be the right side. I don't know whether that will works with less detailed designs. But I love the ease of not worrying so much about right and wrong sides!

Anita

With batiks either side is the right side, just depends on what looks best to you. Sometimes I switch back and forth
with the same material.

I once heard that with batiks, the inside was the outside! Can't say that for sure. Sometimes I just cannot tell the difference....

I think as long as you are happy with the result, it shouldn't matter too much what anyone else thinks. There are too many quilt police around that take pleasure in critiquing everyone's work. I love the wide open nature of quilting,personally.

That's one of the beauties of it! There isn't one! (Not so's you'd notice anyway)

I tend to make a personal choice decision. Then I mark which side I'm going to use as right side with painter's tape so I am consistent. This may seem excessive but it works. Then I can use the other side as a shaded accent if needed and if there is enough difference.

Sometimes it pays to be a bit OCD when quilting.

ali

I find using both side of batiks (hard to tell which side is right so I try to see which side is brighter. Some other cottons can be used. Many times cottons can be used as a shadow when using the back side.