Batiks

Batik quilting fabric refers to a type of fabric that is used in quilting projects and is created using a traditional Indonesian dyeing technique called batik. Batik is a method of dyeing textiles using a wax-resist process, where certain areas of the fabric are covered with wax to prevent dye from penetrating, creating intricate and colorful patterns.

When it comes to quilting, batik fabrics are highly prized for their vibrant and unique designs. The wax-resist process is used to apply a wide range of intricate patterns and vivid colors to the fabric. Batik quilting fabrics are perfect to use in various sewing and quilting projects, such as patchwork quilts, appliqué designs, and other fabric crafts.

Batik quilting fabrics are known for their quality, durability, and the artistic value of their designs. They can add a distinctive and exotic touch to quilting projects, as each piece of batik fabric is a work of art due to the manual process involved in creating complex patterns. Use these beautiful batik quilt fabrics to create visually stunning and culturally rich quilts that stand out as unique pieces of textile art.

It's worth noting that while the traditional batik process originated in Indonesia, its influence and popularity have spread globally, leading to the creation of batik-style fabrics in various parts of the world.

What Batik Fabric is and How its Made

What is batik quilting fabric? Beautiful, of course! Our wide selection of colorful batik fabrics make eye-catching batik quilts! But if you need a more technical description about how batik quilt fabrics are made, let us explain: batik quilt fabric is a unique material in which wax is applied to certain areas of the fabric. Once the wax hardens, the batik material is submerged in a beautiful dye, and the wax actually prevents the fibers from absorbing it! After being properly submerged, the batik fabric print is then boiled to remove the wax. This fabric-dyeing method gives the fabric a tie-dye, crackled look, which is what makes batik quilt fabric so stunning! But this is just one way batik fabric prints are made. The four other ways batiks can be made are through hand-drawing, digital printing, metal blocks, and screen printing.

Batik quilt fabrics are known for their quality, durability, and the artistic value of their designs. They can add a distinctive and exotic touch to quilting projects, as each piece of batik quilting fabric is essentially a work of art due to the manual process involved in creating the intricate patterns. Batik quilt fabric can be used to create visually stunning projects that stand out as unique pieces of textile art.

Batik quilt fabrics can actually be made with many different fabrics. Most cotton weights work well with the waxing and dyeing processes, so long as the wax is able to penetrate through the material. But finer weaves typically work best for batiks. In addition to batik fabric by the yard, they’re also sold as precuts, which we carry as well. Whether you prefer a batik layer cake or a batik jelly roll, you’ll see plenty of both in our selection of batik quilt fabric. And we ever have extra wide batik backing fabric for your beautiful batik quilts!

Care and Maintenance of Batik Fabrics

Since batik fabric prints are made through such an elaborate process, you may wonder if they bleed when you wash them. The answer is YES. Batik quilt fabrics do indeed bleed, but the best way to avoid a tie-dye batik quilts disaster is to pre-wash your batik fabrics with some water and Retayne. If you’re unfamiliar with Retayne, it’s simply a color fixative that helps “lock” fabric dye in to prevent excessive bleeding. All you need to do is soak your batiks in enough water to completely cover them, add about a teaspoon of Retayne and let it all soak for approximately 20 minutes. Then, give your batiks a rinse with cool water, toss them in the dryer, and voila—tie-dye disaster avoided!

Can batik quilts be washed? Of course! You already know to pre-wash your batik quilt fabrics, but all regular washes of batik quilts afterward should either be by hand or on a very gentle cycle in your machine. And since most batik fabrics are cotton, ironing—preferably on a low or medium setting—is completely safe.

Now, when it comes to working with batik fabric prints, most actually don’t have a right or wrong side. You’ve likely heard Jenny refer to the “right” and “wrong” sides of fabric in her tutorials—the “right” being the side of the fabric where the colors and designs are the most vivid. Because batiks are dyed all the way through, both sides are typically just as vivid as the other, so there is no right or wrong side! Though this isn’t always the case with all batik quilt fabrics, so when you encounter a batik with sides that are nearly identical, just pick the side that appears brightest to you and let that be the “right” side for your batik quilts.

Versatility of Batik Quilt Fabrics

One of the best things about batik quilting fabric is how versatile it is--it’s not limited to specific colors or a particular look! One of the most common patterns for batik quilt fabric is a beachy, tropical look, but you'll also find batiks fabric with geometric designs, patriotic batiks, animal themes, floral batik fabric, holiday themes including Christmas batik fabric, seasonally inspired collections featuring winter, spring, summer and fall batik fabric, and more!

We adore quilting with batiks fabrics just as much as regular cotton quilt fabrics; since many popular manufacturers make batik quilt fabrics, there is a great variety out there to explore in amazing colors ranging from pastel batik fabric to blend-able neutrals to brilliant, eye-catching rainbow hues. Moda Fabrics, for example, creates batik quilting fabrics with designers like Debby Maddy, who is well known for her stunning batik fabric collections inspired by Japanese Shibori dyeing techniques. So if you’re a big fan of Moda, you’ll be thrilled to know that we carry Moda batik fabrics!

Our huge selection of batik yardage and precuts also includes batik quilting fabrics from Tonga Batiks, Banyan Batiks, Island Batik fabric, Wilmington Batiks, and so much more! With over 500 batik fabrics online to choose from, you'll be transported to your happy place with these unique fabrics.

Batik Fabrics Projects

If you’re not sure what to do with batik fabrics, don’t stress! We have plenty of batik fabric patterns that can introduce you to the beauty of batik prints, such as batik quilt kits and batik quilt patterns. We also carry many batik precuts, and even extra wide batik backing fabric to use with our batik quilt patterns! Watch the video below to see Jenny use batik fabrics to create inspired projects that will have you dreaming of the island life. Whether you're shopping for batik fabric online or planning a visit to our Batik Boutique in Quilt Town, USA, you're certain to find plenty of batik quilting inspiration here at Missouri Star!

And check out this fantastic project with Rob from Man Sewing!