Look here to find answers for frequently asked questions (FAQ's). I'm always open to adding more information, just ask!

WHAT MAKES HOFFMAN FABRICS BATIKS SO SPECIAL?

Hoffman Fabrics Craftsmanship

Hoffman Fabrics has been making authentic batiks at their factory on the beautiful Indonesia island of Bali for over 30 years. The motif for each batik are imagined and hand drawn by talented textile artists employed at the headquarters in Mission Viejo, Calif. The completed artwork is sent to their Bali factory where an amazing crew of master craftspeople take the designs and requests for colorways to produce the most beautiful batiks exclusively for quilters.

Hoffman Fabrics Sustainable Batik Plant

Hoffman Fabrics is the only batik company that has spent money to create a dedicated sustainable plant used to create batik fabrics using color-rich formulas on premium cotton base goods. At their factory in Bali, a modern water-filtration system returns rinse water clear to the environment. Hoffman California Fabrics is the only textile manufacturer of batik quilting cottons with a system installed and operating daily (and has been for more than a decade). Quilters and sewist's can feel good about making an eco-conscious purchase when they choose Hoffman Bali Batiks for their projects.

BATIK COTTON FABRICS

What is batik fabric?

Batik fabrics are created using a wax "resist" process. The art of decorating cloth in this way, using wax and dye, has been practiced for centuries. An artist uses wax to prevent dye from penetrating the cloth, leaving "blank" areas in the dyed fabric. The process, wax resist then dye, can be repeated over and over to create complex multicolored designs. Colors are layered to create depth unique to batik fabrics. 

Where are batik fabrics made?

Many batik fabrics are made in Java, Indonesia, where batik is part of an ancient tradition. Some of the finest batik cloth in the world is made in Java. The word batik originates from the Javanese tik and means to dot.

How do I pre-wash batik fabrics?

Firstly, I recommend that you do not pre-wash pre-cut batik fabric packs.

Wash darks and lights separately. Machine wash warm on delicate cycle with a gentle laundry detergent. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low or line dry. Use cool iron if necessary. 

What is Retayne and how is it used?

Retayne is a color fixative for commercially dyed cotton, linen, and rayon fabrics that bleed.

Test batik fabric yardage for excess dye by cutting a small square. Place the square in a microwave safe glass bowl and cover with hot water. Zap for a few minutes in the microwave then let the water cool. If there is a lot of color in the water, you may want to wash the fabric separately and set the dye.

Many quilters and sewers use Retayne in hot (140 degree) water and follow the instructions to set excess dye. Only one application of Retayne is necessary. Subsequent washings of the fabric should be in cool water. You can treat 24 yards with one 4 ounce bottle.

Batiks may have occasional small bits of wax left on the fabric as a result of the batik process, so please check and decide if you would like to pre-wash batik yardage before using. If you set excess dye using Retayne this will also remove any wax that may still be in the fabric.

What steps are used to make a batik fabric?

The Basic Stages to Create a Batik Fabric

1. The fabric is dyed with a base color and put onto a flat surface.

2. The fabric is carefully crinkled.

3. One or more base color combinations are applied on the fabric with the help of sponges.

4. The fabric is dried in the sunshine.

5. Soda is sprinkled on the fabric to get the "salt effect".

6. If a print is being used, the fabric is then covered with a wax resist using copper stamps on wooden blocks.

7. The first color combination is removed from the fabric by dipping it into a solution.

8. The fabric is made wet and put onto a flat surface.

9. The fabric is carefully crinkled.

10. One or more secondary color combinations are applied on the fabric with the help of sponges.

11. Soda is sprinkled on the fabric to get the "salt effect".

12. The fabric is dried in the sunshine by hanging.

13. The fabric is then set in water glass, a solution of sodium or potassium silicate, it solidifies on exposure to air and is used to make silica gel. Before the water glass is applied, the batik colors are water soluble. Water glass fixes all the colors.

14. The fabric is washed twice in separate water baths.

15. The fabric is submerged in a boiling water bath to remove the wax resist.

16. The fabric is washed with cool water and hung to dry.

FABRIC CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Care instructions unless otherwise noted on the listing page.

Washing: Machine wash cold with a mild detergent, no bleach. Wash dark colors separately.

Drying: Tumble dry low, remove promptly. Use a cool iron if necessary.

Do not pre-wash pre-cut fabric packs.

MEASUREMENTS

What does BTY mean?

BTY is an abbreviation for "by the yard", meaning a fabric is sold in yard increments.

What is a fat quarter compared to a standard quarter yard?
A fat quarter is a quarter yard cut that measures approximately 18" x 21" to 18" x 22" rather than the standard 9" x 44" quarter yard.

Fat Quarter
18 inches x 21 inches = 45 cm x 53 cm
18 inches x 22 inches = 45 cm x 55 cm

If you cut 1/2 yard of fabric, then cut the 1/2 yard on the fold, you've just created 2 fat quarters!

How many squares can I cut from a fat quarter?
I used a conservative 18" x 21" fat quarter for these numbers.

90 - 2" squares
56 - 2.5" squares
42 - 3" squares
30 - 3.5" Squares
20 - 4" Squares
16 - 4.5" Squares
12 - 5" Squares
9 - 5.5" Squares
9 - 6" Squares
6 - 6.5" Squares

What is a fat eighth compared to a standard 1/8 yard?
A traditional 1⁄8-yard cut and a fat-eighth cut contain the same amount of fabric, but have different shapes. A traditional 1⁄8-yard cut is 4-1⁄2" × 44". A fat eighth is cut crosswise from a 1⁄4-yard piece of fabric, a 9" × 44" rectangle cut in half to make a 9" ×21" fat 1⁄8-yard piece.

If you cut 1/4 yard of fabric, then cut the 1/4 yard on the fold, you've just created 2 fat eighths!

Fat Eighth
9 inches x 21 inches = 22 cm x 53 cm

9 inches x 22 inches = 22 cm x 55 cm

How do I convert yards, inches and fractions?
1 Yard = 36 Inches = 1
7/8 Yard = 31.5 Inches = 0.875
3/4 Yard = 27 Inches = 0.75
2/3 Yard = 24 Inches = 0.66
5/8 Yard = 22.5 Inches = 0.625
1/2 Yard = 18 Inches = 0.50
3/8 Yard = 13.5 Inches = 0.375
1/3 Yard = 12 Inches = 0.33
1/4 Yard = 9 Inches = 0.25
1/8 Yard = 4.5 Inches = 0.125

I'm metric, so how do I convert inches to centimeters?
Each inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters.

Example: 36 inches per yard x 2.54 centimeters = 91.44 cm per yard

What does fabric repeat mean?
Fabric designs are repeated over and over again along the length of a bolt of fabric.

Sometimes the same design is used for the entire length of fabric or the design is scattered, so your eye does not see a repeat.

If a fabric has a repeat, you can see a definite beginning and end to the design. Common repeated design lengths for quilt fabrics are 12, 24, 36 and 42 inches. In quilting, repeat fabrics are many times sold as panels.

COMMON BED SIZES

What are the most common mattress bed sizes?

• Crib/Toddler 28" x 52"
• Twin 39" x 76" Smallest adult bed mattress
• Twin X-Long 39" x 80" Commonly used in college dorm rooms, ­longer than a standard Twin but the same width
• Full/Double 54" x 75" Shorter and narrower than a Queen
• Queen 60" x 80" Wider and longer than a Full/Double
• King 78" x 80" Largest mattress
• Cal-King 72" x 84" Narrower and longer than a King

What are the common mattress depths?

• Standard 7" to 9"
• Deep 10" to 15"
• Extra Deep 15" to 22"

 

PACKAGING

How are my fabrics cut and packaged for shipping?
Cutting

All fabrics are cut straight from the bolt. Yardage is sent as a continuous piece of fabric, fat quarter singles and panels are sent as individual cuts.

If you order 2 yards and 1/2 yard of the same fabric, you will receive 1 piece of fabric that is 2 1/2 yards long.

Packaging

All fabric yardage and panels are packaged into a clear poly bag for shipping.

All fabric fat quarter singles are individually labeled and packaged in a re-closable clear poly bag. You don't have to worry about removing glue from fat quarter labels.

All patterns are shipped in the designer's original packaging.

How are my handmade purchases packaged for shipping?
All small leather goods receive free gift wrapping consisting of a box and ribbon of my choice with a gift card.

All handmade purchases are sealed in a plastic bag and shipped in a correctly sized bubble mailer or box.

PAYMENTS

What Are My Payment Options?
Beaverhead Treasures accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Meta Pay and Shopify Pay.

All Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club credit and debit card payments are securely processed by Shopify Payments. Orders from Beaverhead Treasures will show as “SP * BEAVERHEAD TREASU” on your credit card billing statement.

Is My Information Secure?
Yes. SSL security is used to ensure all your personal information is encrypted. Your credit card information is not stored and is used one-time only to complete your purchase.

If you call in an order your credit card information is not stored and is used one-time only to complete your purchase.