Question About Batiks

[Diva Deb]

I was lucky enough to be passing through Paducah, Kentucky the other day and stopped in at Hancock's of Paducah and got a bag of Batik scraps for only $6.00. You would not believe how much was crammed in that bag. They are mostly strips about 2-1/2" and honestly, I think I have enough to make a small quilt.

Now my problem is, I've never worked with batiks before. I have heard you need to wash them first but I've also heard you never wash 2-1/2" strips. Am not sure what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions?

For the quilt, I plan to do the sashing and borders in a black fabric to make the batiks, which are mostly in blues and greens, pop. Since the black will be cut from yardage, do you think the black should also be a batik or a regular basic cotton?

[DeniseSm]

Re: Question About Batiks

Personally I would not wash 2 1/2 strips, I would be sure to put one or two Shout Color Catchers in the washing machine the first time you wash the quilt. It is usually the red batiks which have the reputation of bleeding.

If you can afford it I would go with a black batik. Batiks have a different density and a different shine than regular cotton fabrics.

[Auntpiggylpn]

Re: Question About Batiks

I've made a few quilts with batiks and I have mixed them with 100% cottons on the top and My backings have also been 100% cottons. I wouldn't wash any of your fabrics prior to putting your quilt together. I have even done a batik/ cotton top and a flannel backing!!!

you can see 3 of them here: the dachsund quilt, the frog quilt and the oriental quilt. http://www.pinterest.com/auntpiggylpn/my-quilts/

[madampolo]

Re: Question About Batiks

I use a lot of batiks and never prewash them. The only thing I prewash is reds.

I have been hand dyeing fabric, and have been washing them like mad before I consider them final and ready to go into a quilt. However, I will sure be using color catchers when I first wash the quilt. I did notice one blue fabric leached blue onto my ironing board when I spray starched it, so I know I've got something bad in the quilt. I also saw that you can make homemade color catchers by soaking white fabric in a solution of soda ash and water, then letting it air dry. I'll be trying that, too, since I use soda ash with my dyeing. Also, I have blue Dawn soap that is supposed to set the dye and make it so it won't bleed. I do use Dawn to wash out my fabric, and I'll be using it on my quilt, too.

[Hulamoon]

Re: Question About Batiks

What a cool find! Use a sharp needle because the fabric is so dense.

[Diva Deb]

Re: Question About Batiks

Thanks, ladies! As usual, you've been a great help. I am going to have to press all these pieces before I use them so I will probably find out about colorfastness when the steam iron hits them. And I think going with the black batik is also a good idea. And thanks, too, for the tip about the sharp needle...I don't think I would have thought of that.

Again, much thanks to you all for your help.