Category Archives: Pinterest

Bali vs. Batik – What’s the Difference?

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People are in love with bali and batik fabrics.  We recently asked our Facebook friends to “like” our status if Bali/Batik Fabrics were (one of) their favorite fabric groups. Clearly, we struck a chord since over one hundred people liked that status.

Bali Store Display

Do you know the difference between Bali and Batik fabrics? Are they the same thing? Does it have to do with where they come from?

Cathy Mark, one of our resident fabric gurus, describes the difference this way: They all start out as “Bali” since these are what can be considered the “solids.” It’s the fabric that you start with when you set out to make “Batik” fabrics. A Batik fabric is printed with a wood block (traditionally by hand) using a wax resist method, over the Bali (dyed) fabric.

Wikipedia has an extensive history on the subject of Batik fabrics if you are interested. For our purposes here, we will simply use our basic description from Cathy above and take a look at all of the wonderful ways to use these luscious fabrics today.

Bali Display Greens/Blues

Island Batik, one of our distributors of Bali & Batik fabrics, says “Our Batik Cotton is individually hand dyed and wax stamped with . . . exclusive designs. Each piece of fabric is created by our talented artisans reflecting the uniqueness of this time honored art.”

My current favorites among our Bali fabrics are anything with a sunflower print (999852 for example), and a relatively new line from Moda called Snow  Days, designed by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts. I would very much love to create a quilt with these beautiful fabrics.

Jen's favorite bali fabrics

Any design or pattern can be made using Bali and Batik fabrics. We have an entire section of patterns created specifically for these wonderful fabrics. There are Bali applique, Bali quilt patterns, and Bali home decor sewing patterns.

Floral Wall Hangings

Quilts are especially stunning when made using Bali and Batik fabrics. It’s often not apparent at first glance that the fabrics are Balis. This Schnibbles pattern below (A16028) appears energized in this Mango Salsa colorway (fabric pack A15809). Made using blues and greens, the quilt would appear calm and soothing.

Bali Quilt

Really, there’s no sewing project that cannot be completed using Bali and Batik fabrics. Treat yourself to some special fabrics and get started on that project that’s been waiting for just the right time!

Bali Treats from Timeless Treasures

You can also see our new Beautiful Balis & Batiks board on Pinterest. We hope you’ll follow us there!

You can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.

(To find an item or event on our web site after clicking on the highlighted words, hold down the “Ctrl” key and touch F. Enter the item number in the box, press enter, and you’ll be taken to that item.)

End of School Celebration

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My kids are getting so excited for the end of the school year! I can only imagine that their teachers are feeling the same way.

Do you have any rituals to welcome the beginning of summer vacation? Why not celebrate the beginning of summer by getting those creative juices flowing? Or even planning a summer “camp” for your own kids/grandkids or the neighborhood kids?

We’ve created a Pinterest Board with a week’s worth of great craft ideas for kids. Go take a look and let us know what you think! (Remember to give us a follow while you’re there, too, please?)

Friendship Bracelets

When was the last time you made a friendship bracelet? I know it’s been a while for me. We have books (18906) with design ideas if you need them and of course all the embroidery floss you’ll need for making one-of-a-kind gifts for swapping with friends.

One of the easiest ways to get started crafting with children is to use Perler Beads. You just need the boards, the beads, and an iron, and you’re on your way! Biggie Beads (A16507) make this activity even easier for little ones still working on gross motor skills. Will you make a puppy, a dolphin, or something of your own design?

Sewing SchoolYou can read about our Kids’ Sewing classes in our newsletter.  There’s still one opening in our June class, and more in our July classes.

Please let us know if you plan your own 7 Days of Celebration for the end of the school year and how you decide to celebrate. Remember that we love to see projects after you’ve finished them. If you’re local, we hope you’ll stop by the store and share what you’ve made. We would love to see some completed latch hook designs, hand puppets, or sewing projects!

Be sure to “like” us on Facebook! You’ll see great projects from customers and Erica’s employees, new items just into the store and be eligible for great giveaways! Now you can also follow us on Pinterest.

(To find an item or event on our web page after clicking on the highlighted words, hold down the “Ctrl” key and touch F. Enter the item number in the box, press enter, and you’ll be taken to that item.)

You can see What’s New at Erica’s almost every day! Any page of our website has a column on the left that tells you where to find things, and all you have to do is look for “New Items” in purple, and click to find out.