kathyd

I'm getting ready to make a quilt with a lot of Batiks in it. I've never used Batiks before. Mostly I do reproduction fabrics, but this is one to be given to DSIL and my daughter picked the fabrics.
Is there anything special I need to know?
Do I need to pre-wash them first?
Do they ravel more than regular cottons?
If the picture attached these are the fabrics and the pattern is Summer Porch from Eleanor Burns.
Any hints you can give will be appreciated.
Thanks,
kathyd

LyndaOH

I find they ravel less than other cottons. I would definitely pre-wash them until the water is clear. They sometimes have a wax residue on them and they do tend to have more dye than other cottons. And as always, better safe than sorry! Have fun with them!

rjwilder

Batiks bleed a lot so definately prewash them. I wash in hot water and if the batiks are dark colored I wash them twice. I use a size 11 or 12 sharp microtex needle because the batik fabrics are woven very tight, much tighter than regular cotton. My opinion is that ravel less than regular cotton fabric. I usually serge the edges before I wash and dry the fabric.

MamaBear61

I definately agree with Lynda about prewashing. Deep coloured batiks can tend to run. They are usually a tighter weave cotton and ravel less.

cmw0829

Do prewash with a color catcher. They ravel far less than regular quilting fabrics which makes them so much nicer to work with IMHO. On the other hand, there is less give then with regular fabrics. So where you might be able to ease in a little excess fabric with regular fabrics, not so much with batiks so piecing discrepancies are more obvious.

lfstamper

Gorgeous fabrics. Do follow the instructions given and you will love your new quilt.

kathyd

Thanks for the info everyone. I guess I will be doing some pre-washing this weekend before I start cutting. I think I even have some color catchers in the laundry room!

rush88888

because of the tight weave, hand quilting is a bit more difficult. i would reccommend machine quilting.

Up4BigChal

Prewash with Retayne but I've Never had a batik bleed. I consider myself very lucky. The do not ravel much at all because they are so closely woven But have had the wax on some left from manufacturing.

Lori S

Wash and rinse till the water runs clear, because there is a good chance you have at least one or more bleeders . I use a finer machine needle, a 70/10.