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.