Island Batik
#33
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 10
I bought some fabric at Connecting Threads and in 1/2 yds. cut. I needed two fat quarters of each. Some of the material was cut short and I only had enough for one fat quarter. I called Connecting Threads and they immed. sent me replacement fabric. I asked if they wanted the other back and she said destroy it. Yah. Sure I will. I will buy from them again because they back up there customer service policys.
#34
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 42
My very first quilting teacher told us, instead of buying a fat quarter, buy a third of a yard of fabric. It only cost a few cents more and you have a few more inches of fabric to work with. Pre-cuts are tempting, but I just don't buy them for the very reasons that everyone has talked about here.
#35
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Southeast Georgia
Posts: 2,526
They probably do have children cutting fabric! Who knows where the batiks come from. I usually just by fabric by the yard and cut it myself. That way, if the squares or strips are different sizes (and they sometimes are) I can't blame anyone but me!
#36
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 217
Island Batiks are made in Bali, Indonesia, and the company is located in California. They have a website. Here are two quotes from their 'about us' page:
"Island Batik currently employs 80 to 100 community members who transform the white base cloth into the spectacular designs and colors for which Island Batik is known. All of the fabric dyeing is done in our own manufacturing facility in Bali, which is centered in a small village. Men and women of the community perform the management of the plant, as well as all of the production processes. Men perform the stamping of wax onto the fabric, dyeing, washing and drying. The fabric is left out in the rice fields, where good sunlight is essential to ensure strong color and color fastness. The women are in charge of quality assurance, folding, bolting and packaging of the cloth.
The cotton and rayon batik is rolled by hand onto cardboard bolts, which are manufactured by families in the surrounding district. Originally, the fabric boards made in Los Angeles were sent to Bali, which was an expensive process. Community members were included in discussions to develop a new fabric board utilizing local raw materials. The talented craftsmen rose to the challenge and within a few days presented an acceptable prototype, which is now a new industry in the village. Island Batik is now producing only 100% recyclable bolt boards!"
and
"The philosophy of Island Batik has always been to ensure the success, enrichment and development of the community to which it belongs. This is accomplished is by offering computer skills training, donating to neighborhood functions and village ceremonies as well as sponsoring the Island Batik community volleyball team. These efforts result in a constant uplifting of the people who partner with Island Batik in production. Because of the large group of artisans and workers employment many people have been able to buy land build new homes, send children to school and college as well as improve the community environment for the benefit of all."
I am sorry to say that although there may be problems with a purchase, it isn't a reason to make blanket value judgements on the whole company and its working methods. I don't want to offend anyone, but this upsets me quite a bit.
#38
Just a quick note to keep everyone informed. I called the shop where I purchased them, and spoke with an associate as the owner was not in today. I informed her what was going on and that I plan on bringing the fat quarters into the shop for them to see so that they can make informed decisions when purchasing fabric for our consumption. Also, Island Batik called me back today and I told them that I would not rather return the fabric as I love the colors and the quality of the fabric and that it is not the fault of the store owner or their responsibility to make it right. And I just wanted what I paid for, nothing more. She is going to mail me a yard or two of fabric to make up for the missing fabric.
Side note, when I went back to the store and showed the owner, she gave me a pattern for free for dealing with the situation. And I also purchased five yards of another Island Batik for my setting triangles.
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,200
I received a package from Island Batiks either Thursday or Friday. I was shocked at the contents, I should say overwhelmed. It contained 4 one yard cuts, 9 fat eights bundles with 5 different patterns, and 4 fat quarters bundles with five different patterns. Not only did they make it right, but went above and beyond.
Side note, when I went back to the store and showed the owner, she gave me a pattern for free for dealing with the situation. And I also purchased five yards of another Island Batik for my setting triangles.
Side note, when I went back to the store and showed the owner, she gave me a pattern for free for dealing with the situation. And I also purchased five yards of another Island Batik for my setting triangles.
#40
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,666
As far as inaccurate cutting -
It would seem to me to be an 'easy fix' to provide cutting mats, rulers, and rotary cutters to the workers.
If 'management' wanted to make it super simple, just provide a 'template' that is to be used
The only 'excuse' I can see for very irregular cuts would be if the workers were just 'eyeballing' the cuts instead of using some sort of measuring device.
It would seem to me to be an 'easy fix' to provide cutting mats, rulers, and rotary cutters to the workers.
If 'management' wanted to make it super simple, just provide a 'template' that is to be used
The only 'excuse' I can see for very irregular cuts would be if the workers were just 'eyeballing' the cuts instead of using some sort of measuring device.
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