Does Batik Fabric Have Selvage? [FAQs]

Batik fabric is a unique textile that originates from Indonesia. It is created by applying wax to the fabric before dyeing it, resulting in beautiful designs and patterns.

If you’re wondering if batik fabric has selvage, the short answer is yes, it does. But there are some things you should know about the selvage of batik fabric.

Table of Contents

Short answers

Does batik fabric have selvage? Yes, it does.

Reasons why

There are several reasons why batik fabric has selvage:

The selvage is the tightly woven edge of the fabric that prevents it from unraveling.
It is also where the fabric is held onto the loom during production.

The selvage can also contain important information about the fabric, such as the manufacturer, the fiber content, and the care instructions.

Tips

If you’re working with batik fabric, here are some tips for dealing with the selvage:

Don’t cut off the selvage until you’re ready to sew. It will help keep the fabric from fraying and losing its shape.

If you need to remove the selvage, do it carefully and with a sharp pair of scissors to avoid damaging the fabric.
If you’re using the selvage as part of your design, make sure to include it in your measurements.

How to

Here’s how to deal with the selvage of batik fabric:

Before cutting your fabric, examine the selvage to see if it contains any important information you need to preserve.
If you’re keeping the selvage, make sure to include it in your seam allowance when cutting your pattern pieces.
If you’re removing the selvage, cut it off carefully with a sharp pair of scissors, leaving a small amount of fabric to prevent fraying.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the selvage in my project? Yes, you can use the selvage as part of your design if you want to.
Do I need to prewash batik fabric before using it? Yes, it’s a good idea to prewash batik fabric to remove any excess dye and prevent shrinking.
Can I use a rotary cutter to remove the selvage? Yes, you can use a rotary cutter to remove the selvage, but be careful not to cut into the fabric.