If you are making a baptismal gown, I would not hesitate to use a cotton batiste, however, I would also use another fabric as well, cutting and sewing the 2 layers as one. I've seen baptismal gowns where a pretty print, or embroidered looking fabric with the batiste covering, which made beautiful gowns. I would probably not use batiste in a quilt unless it was backed with another fabric, for a baptismal gown, I don't see why not.

Is it white or a color? I saw a lovely autumn table runner somewhere that had appliquéd leaves in batiste.

Batiste is supposed to be thin. I made christening gowns and used batiste. Research Martha Pullen. Batiste is recommended often. Look at some of her work and I think you will see why it is used. Her fancy stitches look so great against that delicate fabric.

I like to use batiste for wall hangings, as someone mentioned earlier
You do your appliqué and trap unto, use water soluable
Thread, cut the trapunto close to the
Design and discard the rest then put
Batiste over and quilt. It's a unique
Fun project to take a break from quilts