Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Pro's and Con's >

Pro's and Con's

Pro's and Con's

Old 02-09-2019, 07:53 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Oofta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 133
Default Pro's and Con's

Realizing there are no "real" quilting police and "it is my quilt, do as I like",
what are the pro's and con's of mixing the beautiful batiks with regular 100% cotton
in quilts? Thanks in advance for your ideas, suggestions and input.
Oofta is offline  
Old 02-09-2019, 08:34 AM
  #2  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,445
Default

The cottons will fade quicker then batiks. You might have some problems machine quilting as the tension adjustments may vary between the two. On the plus side, if the colours and textures look perfect together, go for it.
Tartan is offline  
Old 02-09-2019, 08:35 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
ArlaJo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Tacoma WA
Posts: 379
Default

I did it with no problems.
ArlaJo is offline  
Old 02-09-2019, 08:39 AM
  #4  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: The Deep South near Cajun Country, USA
Posts: 5,378
Default

The batiks are a much closer denser woven fabric than the cottons. Short term, the regular cotton fabric will probably shrink more. I haven't washed any that I mixed the two on enough to know if they will fade or not. If you know the item will be washed often, I wouldn't mix the fabrics. But....your quilt....your choice.
Barb in Louisiana is offline  
Old 02-09-2019, 08:47 AM
  #5  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,820
Default

I have been reading where batiks quilts that were made some years ago, the fabric has deteriorated in spots. It seems the harsh way batiks are made causes this. Batiks were for clothing but so beautiful quilters had to use it. I wouldn't make a heirloom quilt from batik but still use it. I mix batiks with regular cotton with good results.
Onebyone is offline  
Old 02-09-2019, 02:03 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,779
Default

Edyta Sitar mixes the two often with stunning results. Many of her designs uses both.
Here is a video of her talking about her designs and why she incorporates both:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r25NJ5nBYJw

I was fortunate to take two classes with her a few years ago and loved her style of using both. I don't always mix batiks and prints but also do not hesitate to use them together - results so far have been good.
costumegirl is offline  
Old 02-09-2019, 02:26 PM
  #7  
Super Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,345
Default

I have a friend who struggled to quilt the batiks in her mixed quilt, she had massive tension issues. She tried several things and found what worked was spritzing fabric silicone spray on the batiks.
Peckish is offline  
Old 02-09-2019, 03:46 PM
  #8  
Super Member
 
Macybaby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 8,117
Default

I've been mixing them and never gave it any thought. However I prewash everything so maybe that makes a difference. I've not noticed having tension issues moving between them on the LA.

The only problem I've had is that I have experienced more bleeding with batiks than the other fabrics. And that is after prewashing too. At least most of the batiks I've used are multi-color to start with so the bleeding isn't that noticeable to anyone but me.
Macybaby is offline  
Old 02-09-2019, 04:01 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,452
Default

I've mixed batiks and regular cottons as well as rayon batiks and regular rayons in both garments and quilt for years with no problems quilting or bleeding.
cashs_mom is offline  
Old 02-09-2019, 05:27 PM
  #10  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cascade, Co
Posts: 1,391
Default

I try not to mix the two just because, no other reason. It is interesting to see the different opinions on this question. Thanks for asking. I've often wondered about that too.
BSKTLOFR-QUILTER is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tellabella
Main
68
07-14-2014 10:04 AM
ptquilts
Recipes
16
09-29-2011 06:33 PM
teddysmom
Main
78
09-20-2011 06:49 PM
AngieS
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
58
05-28-2011 10:00 PM
Jeananne
Main
3
02-18-2011 06:57 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter