Sign up for 10% off your first order

Spend £85 for free shipping

Visit us - Make an Appointment here
Batik & Tie Dye Fabric

Batik & Tie Dye Fabric

Our batik and tie dye collection is full of colour, from genuine wax-resist batik cottons and premium Hoffman Bali prints to lighter batik-look voiles and viscose blends. Most pieces are 100% cotton, with weights suited to both dressmaking and quilting.

Whether you're making a vibrant dress, a patchwork quilt or a craft project, there's a print here to suit. Order a sample if you'd like to check the colour and weight first.
View as:

Batik and tie dye are two different ways of creating pattern with dye, and this collection includes both. The results are colourful, often one-of-a-kind fabrics that work beautifully for dressmaking, quilting and craft. Knowing the difference helps you choose the right piece for your project.

Batik and tie dye - what's the difference?

Batik is a wax-resist technique: hot wax is applied to areas of the cloth, which then resist the dye, leaving intricate patterns once the wax is removed. It's a traditional craft most associated with Indonesia. Tie dye is made by folding, twisting or tying the fabric before dyeing, so the bound areas stay lighter and create soft, flowing patterns. Some fabrics in this range are genuine wax-resist batik, while others are printed batik-look or tie-dye designs, so check the product page if the method matters to you.

Weights and uses

  • Cotton batik: a stable, mid-weight cotton ideal for quilting, patchwork and structured dressmaking.
  • Cotton lawn and voile batik: lighter, softer cloth with more drape, suited to blouses and summer dresses.
  • Viscose and linen-blend batik-look: drapier fabrics for relaxed dresses and skirts.

Working with batik and tie dye fabric

Because these fabrics are dyed, we recommend pre-washing before cutting to check for any loose colour and to allow for shrinkage, unless the product page advises otherwise. Many batiks are dyed by hand, so slight variation between pieces is part of their character. The mid-weight cottons are easy to sew and beginner-friendly, while the lighter voiles and viscoses benefit from a little extra care when cutting.

What is batik fabric and how is it made?

Batik is fabric patterned using a wax-resist technique. Hot wax is applied to parts of the cloth, which then resist the dye so those areas keep their original colour. Once the wax is removed, an intricate pattern is left behind. It's a traditional craft most closely associated with Indonesia.

Is batik the same as tie dye?

No. Batik uses wax to resist dye and create detailed patterns, while tie dye is made by folding, twisting or tying the fabric before dyeing so the bound areas stay lighter. Both are in this collection, alongside some printed batik-look and tie-dye designs, so check the product page if the method matters to you.

Will the colours bleed and should I pre-wash?

We recommend pre-washing before cutting to check for any loose dye and to allow for shrinkage, unless the product page advises otherwise. Wash the first time on its own or with similar colours. Most fabrics settle after the first wash and are then stable for normal use.

Can I use batik fabric for clothes as well as quilting?

Yes. The mid-weight cotton batiks are popular for quilting and patchwork but also work for structured dressmaking, while the lighter lawns, voiles and viscose blends drape well for blouses, dresses and skirts. Check the weight on the product page to match the fabric to your project.

Is each piece of batik unique?

Many batiks are dyed by hand, so there can be slight variation in colour and pattern between pieces and even along a single length. This is a natural part of the process and gives each fabric its individual character rather than being a fault.

Join 30,000 Makers

Get 10% off your first order

Be first to see new arrivals and limited fabrics before they sell out.

No spam. Just beautiful fabrics.

Join 30,000 Makers