Laying out batik fabric gives you room to cut it and also make sure that the fabric does not roll or fold. When cutting batik, use either a pair of scissors or rotary cutter dedicated to cutting fabric only. This prevents you from obtaining rugged or snagging edges. Silk pins are useful when cutting the fabric to secure patterns. The design on the fabric is a guide as to how to cut it but ensure you maximize the fabric’s style.
Research the fabric you want to use because batik is available in different natural fibers. Silk batik usually has little or no excess dye. Cotton batik and other natural fibers tend to retain dye. You should prewash the cotton and other natural-fiber batik fabric in hot water to prevent it from bleeding after dyeing. You can fix color and also remove excess dye on batik by adding a product such as Retayne when washing.
Batik fabric tends to shrink after prewashing. Purchase enough fabric to account for shrinkage and to accommodate design elements. Choose the fiber that suits the type of design you intend to showcase. For example, silk is preferable when making men and women’s clothes, while cotton is considered the best choice for curtains or wall hangings.
Carefully consider the proper thread weight when sewing batik fabrics. Use lightweight and medium-weight cotton, polyester and silk threads. Using the correct thread weight allows the completed piece to form and drape without heaviness at the hems and seams. Batik fabric has a dense thread count, so use a sharp, fine-point needle to avoid damaging it. You can also use denim needles.
Drawing on the fabric first using a pencil is a way of freehand designing on batik. You can also sketch out a design on a piece of dense foam using a knife or a razor blade. The design etched on the foam appears backwards and creates a direct imprint on the fabric when used.