How do I tell the difference?
06-20-2011, 09:03 AM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2011
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I love seeing the quillts made with batiks, and had finally taken the plunge this spring and bought some. I loved working with the fabric, and will build my stash of them, so I can do more.
So, my question is, how do you know that a piece of fabric is a batik? I get a lot of fabric pieces at my local thrift shop, and I bought a 5 yard piece just last week, for $5, and after getting it home, I have a strong suspicion that it is a batik. My only clue is that there is no writing on the salvedge. Also, the fabric has that very tight, fine feeling. Are there other clues that I can go by.
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
So, my question is, how do you know that a piece of fabric is a batik? I get a lot of fabric pieces at my local thrift shop, and I bought a 5 yard piece just last week, for $5, and after getting it home, I have a strong suspicion that it is a batik. My only clue is that there is no writing on the salvedge. Also, the fabric has that very tight, fine feeling. Are there other clues that I can go by.
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
06-20-2011, 09:09 AM
#3
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Some batiks will have a printed selvedge and some do not... people who dye/make theses at home don't print on the selvedges :D If it is a batik like print, and the fabric has a heavier hand, then I would call it a batik :D:D:D
06-20-2011, 09:14 AM
#4
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Originally Posted by Rebecca VLQ
The batik I have doesn't fray like "regular" fabric. Sure, there's loose strings, but it's...different...
Batiks are made with a wax to create the pattern. A good explanation is on wiki
06-20-2011, 09:55 AM
#8
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If it looks the same on both sides it's more then likely batik. Some can tell the difference between front and back sides. I can't but don't have the inclination to study it that much to tell them apart. I love batiks for this very reason. I can use both sides and not have to worry about it, great for paper piecing!
06-20-2011, 10:00 AM
#9
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Location: Grant Park, IL
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Originally Posted by Barb44
I don't understand why it matters what it is called. If I like a fabric I use it. I don't care whether is called a batik or a quilters cotton. What matters to me is the finished quilt.
06-20-2011, 10:12 AM
#10
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Location: Northern Michigan
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batiks are dyed not printed- both sides look alike- or very close---printed fabrics the front has a distinct pattern- the back is faded-if it shows at all- batiks- both sides are vibrant- and people use both sides equally.
batiks also tend to have some excess dye--they need to be pre-washed even if you do not normally pre-wash- unless you do not care if the colors run together.
printed fabrics tend to be much more stable (color-wise)
also, batiks do not tend to shrink quite as much calicos- due to the tighter weave.
batiks also tend to have some excess dye--they need to be pre-washed even if you do not normally pre-wash- unless you do not care if the colors run together.
printed fabrics tend to be much more stable (color-wise)
also, batiks do not tend to shrink quite as much calicos- due to the tighter weave.
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