The Art of Choosing Batik: Turning Color Into Quilting Character

While some fabrics may only serve the purpose of providing a fabric to stitch on, others bring life, depth, and character into the fabric before you even get started. One of these fabrics is the batik fabric. The combination of its various colors and unique patterns can turn an ordinary quilt block into something quite artistic. When working with batik, the quilter will not be trying to follow any trends in particular. Rather, it is more like exploring the relationship between colors and patterns in the fabrics.

What Makes Batik So Visually Distinctive? 

Batik has always been linked to the art of the wax resist dyeing technique, which produces complex designs along with great color variations. The modern quilt batiks come in all types of designs, ranging from natural forms and textures to amazing geometrical designs.

On of the greatest features of cotton batik fabrics is that they have more than one shade in one design itself. This helps the quilter in selecting the fabric for his design because one fabric connects more than one color. For the quilter, this opens up many options.

Start With a Color Story, Not a Pattern 

The typical error made while selecting fabric is picking up designs independently without keeping in view how well they will coordinate. The first step should be to come up with a color scheme.

Some of the possible combinations are:

• Dark blues complemented by turquoise

• Earth colors, along with warm neutral colors

• Jewel colors combined with dark colors

• Pastels, along with contrast colors

Once you've got your primary palette, you will have to find fabrics that bring in variety but don't lose their connection with one another. A set of fabrics doesn't have to be perfectly coordinated. They can also differ slightly.

Why Buying Online Can Inspire New Ideas 

Modern quilters now enjoy access to many types of fabrics without even stepping out of their homes and visiting several stores. While purchasing batik fabric online, one gets an opportunity to browse the collections, compare patterns, and even develop a color palette. 

It might be helpful in case there is a need to look for a particular shade or matching pattern. While making a purchase, it is necessary to check the sizes, colors, description, and quantity of fabric. One should also pay attention to the amount of fabric needed for the project.

The Creative Flexibility of Fat Quarters 

But not all projects need an entire yard of fabric. A fat quarter of batik fabric is perfect for those quilters who like variety and would love to try out a new color palette but don’t wish to buy too much.

Fat quarters are ideal for:

• Patching up blocks

• Applique

• Wall hangings

• Table runners

• Scrappy quilts

• Quilted accessories

Fat quarters allow you to incorporate many shades in a project. Fat quarters give beginners a cheap option to try batik before going big.

Mix Batiks Without Overcomplicating the Design 

Batik textiles can be very detailed, so balance is key. When all your fabrics feature intricate designs, the finished quilt can become very busy. Using strong patterns together with subtle textures will make for a harmonious result. Using just one or two colors consistently in the project is another option. It is also possible to use scale to create contrast in the design, matching large organic shapes with smaller ones.

Give Your Next Quilt Its Own Personality 

The result is really a way of expressing creativity. One doesn’t have to replicate someone else’s choice of colors or follow any particular fabric formula. Batik offers the opportunity for you to be experimental and choose color combinations that speak of your unique style.

At Platinum So N Sews, quilt lovers will have access to fabrics that will suit any kind of quilt design, be it meticulously planned out or unexpectedly scrappy.

Are you excited about trying out batik? Come to Platinum So N Sews to try out batik fabrics for your very own project.