Have You Cross Stitched a Quilt Block?
April 10, 2024
Hi!
I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the lookout for fun ways of mixing things up a bit with my quiltmaking, and as I do enjoy some hand stitching as well, what better way to make a quilt block, than to stitch one – Cross Stitch, that is!
You can have so much fun cross stitching quilt blocks too, and the texture of the stitched crosses adds another element to the finished look of your project too. The big blocks of colour make stitching them super easy, and if you’re not careful, you’ll find it a bit addictive….
Take this classic Sister’s Choice Quilt block –
It’s easy enough to convert this to a cross stitch chart, and then all you have to do is gather your threads and a scrap of Aida cloth, and get stitching!
A few years ago, we set ourselves a challenge to make a quilt using 50 different quilt blocks, all stitched to finish at 3 inch squares. We stitched in front of the tv at night, and even to and from the Paducah quilt show on a couple of looooong long-haul flights from Australia to the US! Each one was fairly quick and easy and they were super portable projects, and we really enjoyed making them.
And here’s what we made – Ta Dah!!
If you’d like to have a go yourself, you just need a 4 inch square of 16 count Aida cloth. (Allow a little more if you’re using 14 count). We used black for ours, as we wanted the contrast with the bright colours.
Select your embroidery threads in colours of your choice. You can use the usual 2 strands of thread to work your cross stitches, but I’d recommend you use 3, for a fuller ‘fatter’ look to your finished piece.
Print off this chart below, and get busy….
What then?
Once you have stitched one (or several), there’s a bunch of things you can do with them.
Add a simple fabric border, and you’ve made a usable block for a quilt project, or you could frame it up instead.
We made a quilt, then stitched more (I said it’s addictive! 🙂 ), and made wallhangings, throw pillows, table runners and bags!
Do give it a try today, and please share your photos when you’re done – I’d love to see how you use your cross stitched quilt blocks in your projects too.
Enjoy!
3 responses to “Have You Cross Stitched a Quilt Block?”
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This is so neat! Thanks for sharing!
I stitched a crosstitch label a long time ago.
Do a Chart of all your onfo. Then you tack on the Aida to you label fabric then crosstitch all the info as normal. When you have completed this you remove the Aida by pulling out the threads one at a time until you just have the crosstitch on your fabric.
Looks great.
That’s a great idea Hazel – will have to try it!