After hearing so many wonderful thing about Batiks, I had to try them. When I went to the Quilt store, I was not planning on purchasing these, but I fell in love with the colors and patterns. I plan on making a Dresden plate with these beautiful patterns and colors. After hearing so many wonderful thing about Batiks, I had to try them.

The photos do not do justice to the color of these patterns. They are just about every color of the rainbow.

The ladies at the Quilt store were actually helpful and helped me pick these out and explained to me what a Batik was and the difference. I was afraid to ask that question on the board. Most people have stated the fell of the fabric while I have a hard time feeling fabric, with the MS I have about 50% feeling in my fingers. The ladies remembered me from a month ago or so when I spent $200. It was kinda of fun and exciting, unlike the big box stores.

I only bought a 1/2 yard of each and I have a few questions. I normally wash, dry and iron my fabric before I start to cut the pattern. First, do I need to wash, dry, and iron? Second, will they bleed if I don't? I am putting them on a white background. Lastly, I have heard so much about starching. Does the spray can work just as good? And what is the best way to starch? Or what is the best brand? I never starched before and I need every advantage to make this the best quilt I have done to date.

[bold]Your wisdom will brighten my day![/bold]

It will be beautiful with all these bright clear colors!! Be sure you show us.

Great selection! Send us a picture when you are done!

I think you're going to have a gorgeous quilt. Be sure to come back with pictures when you have it together!

they are beautiful fabrics. I want to make a Dresden Plate also. I saw a tutorial on the Missouri Quilt co. site and it looked like maybe even I could do it.

Will be a great dresden plate.

Interesting batiks, pretty colors, be sure and post a pic when you make it, would love to see it.

Beautiful fabrics!! Looking forward to seeing a picture of your quilt when you get it done!

I do not normally pre-wash but I do pre-wash batiks. I have had issues with the colors running. I don't always wash in the machine with soap and water, for smaller pieces I will swish them around in a basin of hot water.

Great fabrics , can't wait to see the quilt.
Do pre wash your batiks in warm water till they stop running. Rinse with cold water. Dry them , and starch. You can use a spray or a concentrate diluted. If you use the concetrate ( dilute to about 4 parts water to 1 part starch) you can dip or soak them, hang dry then iron. You can also spray on the ditluted concetrate but when I have a bit to do its just as easy to dip them.