Hand quilting a cross stitch lap blanket

by Susan
(NJ)

I have completed a cross stitch lap blanket. Now, do I finish it with hand quilting straight stitch right through the cross stitching?

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Hi Susan, Carol here. I also received your personal email where you added...

"Instructions says to stitch an "X" thru the whole quilt to finish but do I stitch thru the cross stitches?"

Your instructions likely refer to tying a quilt, where you stitch a cross, leave the ends loose, and then tie them together. Use embroidery thread like pearl cotton in a matching or contrasting colour.

Place the tie stitches evenly across the quilt, avoiding the cross-stitched areas as much as possible.

Position most stitches outside the embroidery, with only a few within the design. Consider using thread that matches the cross-stitch colour to make the tie stitches less noticeable.

I tied a cot quilt for my baby daughter, 45 years ago, in this way. It's still going strong, keeping our old Jack Russell terrier warm each night! It had only plain squares, lacking the beautiful stitching of yours.

Another option for some designs would be to do what is called "Stitch in the Ditch". If your design has clear boundaries (like a frame or blocks around the stitching) you can quilt along the seam lines. The stitching won't be fully visible, but it depends on the thickness of your batting. A really thick layer will be pulled in by these stitches and the unstitched area will be puffy.

TIPS If you do want to stitch over the cross stitched area



Use a sharp, fine needle, i.e. a quilting or betweens needle to reduce friction on the thread.

Take small consistent stitches and go slowly, feeling your way through when bringing the needle through from the back to avoid splitting the embroidery floss.

Check your thread tension often. You don't want to pull too tightly, or you can pucker the fabric and distort your cross stitches.

I hope this helps.

Carol

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