I love Batiks! My first speech presentation in high school was demonstrating the batik process. Adding them to your quilting and sewing projects is like adding seasoning to your favorite dish. Because of the irregularity of their designs, handcrafted look and wide spectrum of luscious colors, using Batiks individualizes and personalizes anything you make with them. The process of wax resist dyeing in fabric is an ancient art form and was developed in many cultures worldwide in particular, China, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, and the South Seas Islands. The word “Batik” itself comes from Java where some of the finest handmade fabrics of this type are still made.
Nowadays, Batik prints can be mass produced using printing plates with tiny wax nozzles. And while this makes these gorgeous prints available to us quilters at a bargain price, each yard of fabric retains it uniqueness and handmade look.
Here are some examples of my recent quilts incorporating my Hancock Fabrics Batiks Collections. The one on the left is made entirely with my Batiks (The Batik Lagoon Quilt Pattern is also a free download here.) The quilt on the right, (More Modern Magic) blends both my Batiks and non-Batiks (screen prints) most from my More Modern fabric Collection.
