Batiks and Hand Piecing
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 865
Batiks and Hand Piecing
Still searching for a hand sewing project for the next few weeks and came across pre-cut log cabin quilt kits in batiks. I've never used batiks at all. Maybe some of you are hand piecers and can tell me about hand piecing with batiks. Here's a link to what I'm considering: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bali-BATIK-1...item3f0f331735
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
I think batiks would be harder to hand piece than regular cottons because batiks typically have a higher thread count, making pushing the needle through harder on your hands. Since hand piecing is a slow process, I personally would want an easier fabric to work with.
#4
Some quilters feel that batiks are harder to hand piece. But I've never had a problem hand piecing them, and I love the tight weave when I hand quilt. The quilting stitches show up so nicely.
Maybe the best thing to do is piece a simple block made from a fat quarter, just to be sure you like working with them.
Janet
Maybe the best thing to do is piece a simple block made from a fat quarter, just to be sure you like working with them.
Janet
#6
I don't hand piece or hand quilt but I do hand binding on the quilt and I think that it is just fine and I use a lot of batiks. I use them for backing tops and bindings. But that is just me. Like someone else said get a fq and give it a try. you never know till you try and you could always trade with someone who does machine piecing.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
I think having the right needle is key to handpiecing with batiks. I tried doing some needle turn applique , and my hand hurt so bad after only a few inches , I gave up.
So I will be watching this thread to see if anyone has guidance on what needle works best when doing hand work with batiks.
So I will be watching this thread to see if anyone has guidance on what needle works best when doing hand work with batiks.
#9
There are some needles that have bigger eyes, and they give me more trouble pulling the needle through.
For applique I've been using Clover Black Gold sharps. They are very pricey, but they do seem to glide through the fabric better. My next needle treat will be a pack of Black Gold betweens.
Janet
#10
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Florida - formerly Montana
Posts: 3,504
I don't hand quilt anymore (too hard on my hands and back), but I do work with Batiks a lot. I love them. I do ALWAYS wash them prior to use, though, as some of them have a tendency to bleed out. (Even the ones that I paid $14. a yard for.) Good luck.
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