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What is Batik?

Batik is a centuries old tradition for dyeing material. The word Batik in Javanese means to write in dots. Indonesia has highly refined the Batik process. This traditional method of dyeing is followed in other countries as well, Sri Lanka, India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Batik is the art of wax-resistant dye on fabrics to create beautiful and colorful designs. The wax is made-up of the mixture of Beeswax, paraffin and resin. The wax is then applied using a stamp or a Tjanting tool (wax stylist). The Tjanting tool is made with bamboo, a copper spout and a copper reservoir. The Tjanting tool is dipped in hot wax and the wax is applied to the designs drawn on materials. You can purchase an electric Tjanting tool today.

Once the waxed design is complete on the material, the material is then submerged in dye, then washed and hung to dry. For multiple colors the batik process is repeated for each color.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

What’s the Difference Between a Coverlet and Bed Spread?

A bedspread is a traditional covering that covers the entire bed and extends to the floor. The pillows are also covered by the bedspread. Whereas, a coverlet is a modern covering that is long enough to cover the box spring and is used with a bed skirt that reaches the floor. Usually the coverlet and top sheet is pulled back about 1/3 of the way with the decorative pillows sitting at the head of the bed.

Today quilts are designed to be used as bedspreads (Traditional Style) and coverlets (Modern Style). In general, a bedspread will have boarders on all for sides and cover the pillows; whereas, the coverlet will have the hanging boarders on only three sides to allow decorative pillows to sit on top of the head of the bed.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

How Should I Prepare My Project For The Longarm Quilter?

You want to make sure all your seams are ironed flat. For us, this is the most important step to producing a high quality product. Check for loose threads on the top side; we will remove if you miss a few. Trim all long hanging threads at the seams.

It is not always easy to make a perfectly squared quilt. One way to check your quilt is to measure across the top, middle and bottom. Take these measurements top to bottom and side to side. Depending on the quilt pattern and boarders you may be able to trim the edges to square your quilt. If you are only off by a 1/4″ it’s probably not a big deal but, no more than 1/2″.

Make sure the batting and backing have at least a 4 inch allowance on all sides. The best way to calculate material needed is to measure the length and width of your quilt and add 8 inches to the length and the width. It’s okay to leave the selvage on your backing outer edges. The selvage will need to be removed from any seams in the backing. Absolutely no selvage in the top quilt. Selvage causes problems during the Longarm stitching process. Also, the shrink factor in the selvage is different than the material. Remove the selvage!

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

How Do I Choose a Pattern & Thread Color?

We meet at the Lady VanWinkle’s studio, or an agreed upon location to review pattern options and thread color options that best fits your project. I’m here to help you. Together we will select the best pattern and thread color for your project. We use a high quality 40 wt.thread. We have Omni, Signature and Madura thread available and every color imaginable. If we don’t have exactly what you want, we can get it as long as they make it. Our passion is to add value to your project and to deliver your quilt in the shortest lead-time possible.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

How Do I Choose Batting?

There are several good brands of batting in the marketplace. I use 100% cotton or an 80/20 cotton blend that has been needle-punched. The benefits of using needle-punched cotton batting is that the batting will not separate or bunch up, even after many washings. When washing use as little agitation as possible or wash in machine with no agitation.

Another batting I like to use is 100% wool. Wool batting produces a light weight quilt with excellent loft retention. I use Hobbs Tuscany Collection which can be hand or machine washed. When washing use as little agitation as possible or wash in machine with no agitation. Too much agitation or steam could cause felting in wet wool. I have have had much success using a front load wash machine.

Quilts with cotton batting are heavier weight and have lower loft; where as, the Wool batting has a lighter weight and a higher loft. The wool gives warmth without the weight. The fiber breaths, allowing excess heat to disperse away from the body.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.

What is Longarm Quilting Machine?

A Longarm quilting machine stitches the quilt top, batting and backing together. There are several Longarm brands in the market place. We have the Bernina Q24 with the Q-Matic computerized patterns. The Bernina Q24 has two drive belts that can be released to allowing free motion stitching. Having your quilt sent out to a Longarm Quilter adds quality to your project. Quilting is a passion for most of us and having high quality patterns stitches added to your quilt. Many of us make quilts for our loved ones and many of our quilts will be passed down for generations to come. This is what makes our quilts priceless.

And what about us…. There is nothing like being wrapped in a cozy quilt reading a good book. If you’re looking to add quality to your quilt, see our contact page.

About Lady VanWinkle’s

Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.