Thank you for all this input, it's really useful.
I've just bought both Lewis & Irene and Dashwood Studios because I loved the prints AND they were in the sale! So glad I asked.
I normally underline the fabric with chiffon which has really good electrostatic qualities and I'm in two minds about the polycotton. Are there any recent tests for polycotton that you could link
@BrendaP ?
So far I've used cotton, both dressmaking (lawns, poplins and chambray) and quilting qualities but like Acorn have found quilting cottons bought online can be very variable hence I've started looking more closely at brand names.
I love batik myself but I'm making many for others and seeing a couple of comments elsewhere on them sometimes running in the wash so I was a little uncertain.
I have used high thread count sheets and found that the sateen finish is much easier to sew than the firmer percale type. The problem with them through the summer is they are much warmer so then I used tight weave cotton lawns with double layer chiffon and a soft cotton lining which worked well. It's a lot more sewing with all the layers but I'm sewing for people I know and am happy to go the extra mile for.