Hi frugalfabrics, I machine embroidery and have used embroidered quilting pieces in a quilt. Oh course there is a big difference in hand cross-stitching and machine cross-stitching. Embroidery in quilting is not as popular as straight quilting but it is catching on. The fabric was prewashed and have withstood many washings since. I am assuming the pictured cross stitch was on Aida cloth. Can you take a small embroidery and do a quilt square and wash it to see if it will stand washing before using a larger one? I also did hand embroidery and washed a wall hanging Aida cloth cross-stitch in the machine on cold water and laid it o flat to dry and it came out fine.