Backing a cross stitched baby quilt

by Heather
(Bartlett, TN, USA)

Hi Carol, I have just discovered your website and find it very useful! Much easier to understand than kit instructions. Currently, I am stitching a stamped cross stitch baby quilt. It is pre-quilted, however, I am stitching through all the layers so I would like to finish the back with flannel as you suggested in another post.

I think it would be much more comforting. But I am not experienced at sewing and am worried about the backing shrinking etc once it has been applied to the quilt. Is that something I have to allow for?

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Heather, you are wise to consider this before completing your project. Indeed the backing fabric and the front could well shrink by different amounts at the first washing.

To prevent this causing the work to pull out of shape I would recommend washing both the completed stitching and the backing fabric separately before assembling them. This will allow them to be stitched together afterwards, without any detrimental effect to your finished project.

If you are going to bind the edges of the quilt, it may also be a good move to wash that fabric before using it. This may sound like a lot of work, but considering the time you will put into the embroidery itself it is worth doing to ensure a successful piece of work that will be treasured for years.

Have fun.

Carol

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Printed quilting
by: Anonymous

I’m working on a printed crossstitch lap quilt. There is a pattern of dots to follow. The instructions are not clear on what to do. The picture on the cover does not match the design printed on the fabric. Are the directions meant to go into one dot and come up the next dot?

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Using a bound edge
by: Carol

Patricia, are you intending to add wadding inside the quilt or will it be used as a duvet cover?

If you are adding wadding then the traditional way to finish off would be to add a bound edge.

You would do this by laying the border fabric face down on top of the front of your work, placing the wadding and backing fabric behind this, then using a backstitch attach the border fabric down one side at a time.

You can then flip over the border, turn under the edge, and slip stitch it in place on the back. Mitred corners would finish the project off neatly.

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Prestamped needlepoint baby quilt - backing question
by: Patricia

Hello.
I made a prestamped baby quilt for my grandson and want to add a backing to cover the stitches. I will wash the quilt and any fabric I purchase prior to sewing together. I do not have a machine to sew the fabrics together and thought hand stitching would work.
What is the best way to do this and make it look finished and good? And what fabric would be the best choice for softness and coverage?
Thank you!

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I haven't used fusible webbing on a quilt
by: Carol

Gladys, I have never tried this personally, but it could work. It might, however, affect the drape of the quilt, by making it slightly stiffer. I would also still suggest stitching a border on, to ensure the quilt and its backing don't separate. I have my doubts about the longevity of the fusible webbing staying attached.

Regards,

Carol

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Hand tying a quilt
by: Carol

Hi Trish,

If your cross stitch pattern is done in squares or small sections you could use a tie down stitch in the corner of each square to attach the backing to the top. This was often done on patchwork quilts or crazy quilts in times gone past.

You would use a length of strong thread to do this. Bring the thread up from the back of the quilt sandwich through all layers. Take a small stitch and pull the thread through to the back. For security I prefer to do this twice. Then tie the threads together on the back of the work. I like to leave the tails long and after tying the knot I thread each end through a needle and "bury" them inside the quilt wadding. This helps to prevent them coming apart and makes it more comfortable for baby.

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HELP
by: Gladys

I have finished a cross stitch baby quilt for my great grandson to be born in Jan. I want to back it with a lightweight flannel material which I have cut to size. Question is: can I use a fusible web between the quilt and the backing? THANKS A WHOLE BUNCH

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Follow Up Question
by: Trish

Hi Carol,

A quick question regarding this post. Do you attach the flannel backing to the quilt anywhere other than the edges? Won't the flannel backing balloon or become loose over time?

Trish

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