How Do I Quilt Cross Stitched Top?
 

The kit for this top was bought at a yard sale in 1987 for pretty much nothing. I know it had to be cheap because I think it is ugly and I was a pregnant teenager at the time with no money and no clue how to cross stitch, but I bought it anyway. When I say no clue how to cross stitch I really mean NO CLUE! It is done with all 6 strands of floss. I guess I didn't know you are supposed to split it. So, it got finished and shoved in a box. Fast forward 15 years or so and my mom (who does not do these things) decided to quilt it. Her first step was to wash it. The whole thing turned pink. A few rewashes later it was pretty much white again so she shoved it in a box and forgot it. After all of this, it seems like I should finish it even if it is ugly.

How do you quilt with cross stitching? Do I just quilt over it? The cross stitched areas are way too big to quilt around. And remember, Mom washed the top several times so the preprinted quilting lines are mostly gone. I assume the shadows that are still in a few places will always be there, but so be it.

Help!

I would not quilt over the cross stitching, but I have seen it done. You have some big open areas. .. just a thought use painters tape , mark open areas for cross hatching.
Thats all I 've got... other than send it out for a long arm pro.

This quilt reminds me of one my mom made back in the 60's.... so very pretty! If I remember correctly, she only quilted in the white spaces and left the cross stitch pattern alone...... why quilt over something that's already pretty and take the chance of ruining it?

I was kind of thinking along the cross hatching lines, too. Maybe with invisible thread over the cross stitching. I don't know. It's so ugly I really don't want to pay to have it finished.

I see feathers around the center motif or maybe vines. Just a thought.

My MIL outline stitches around the designs

My suggestion would be to find a LAQ in your area and take in your quilt top for a consult. The LAQ'er should be able to give you some ideas on how it could be quilted....and be aware of any budget you may have for the quilting. Personally, this screams out to me to be custom quilted, echoing around the cross stitched areas and custom quilting in the wide open spaces. My husband would just love to get ahold of this....he has another cross stitched quilt in his line up to do, and he's been having fun designing quilting motifs for it! While you may think it's "ugly" now, having it finished will turn it into a really gorgeous quilt, in my humble opinion. Just be sure to post pics of what it looks like in the end :)

I really think custom quilting also. By the way I do not think it is ugly at all you did a very nice job!!!!

I agree with cedarvalleyquilts. This quilt will be amazingly beautiful with good custom quilting. Using the extra strands of embroidery thread just served to make the colors more vivid.

I think you did an amazing job for self taught cross stitch and the 6 strands make the colors show much better! I am no
help with the quilting....just starting out. Good luck and please post when done!

I love the quilt. The cross stitching looks great. I can't help on quilting but it looks like you got lots of suggestions.

My first response would be a really good LAQ. But if you decide against that & don't want to quilt in the cross stitched areas, I wouldn't do batting, but maybe a white flannel for the batting instead, and then maybe do a little light hand quilting in those cross stitched areas to join the layers together. It's lovely!

Beautiful quilt.

I, too, would outline the cross stitches & then do a cross hatch in the background. By the way, it is not ugly. I think it is beautiful & I think you done a fantastic job on the cross stitch.

It looks great to me, I do not see any ugly.

I have quilted over embroidery. I would do lots of quilting in the white area. If you don't quilt over the embroidery it will pop up beautifully so I would do around the flowers and leaves It will be gorgeous when done. Quilting just does something to a quilt. Some people say it is not a quilt until it is quilted.

This one is a "sleeping beauty"...you just don't realise it yet:) Don't quilt over the cross-stitching (which you have done very nicely...and who says 6 strands is a bad idea). If you don't send it out....just outline the embroidered areas and as the others have suggested cross hatch the large blank spaces. Personally, I really like this....so come on....give it the kiss of life....and don't forget to show us when you are done...Happy quilting.

Oh my heavens..I think that is an absolutely beautiful quilt! Don't have any suggestions for quilting tho...so far I am only at the tied quilt level of experience.

This is very beautiful. I'm only a novice quilter but I agree that outline quilting is the way to go. Maybe just hand running stitches around your cross stitching or fairly long machine straight stitches. I don't understand why you hate it. It is stunning and you put in so much time and effort. Also, sign and date it on the back. It will one day be an heirloom. You should be proud.

I quilt things my mom has cross stitched and I only do the open areas, this would be the white. I think your top is very pretty, very patriotic and it is going to be beautiful when done. I like it.

Don't know what to recommend, but the quilt is really quite nice - It will be well worth it to finish it; it is beautiful!

Beautiful quilt top. I would do a couple of echo quilting around the cross stitch. The blank space i would do feathers..... My last option would be cross hatch quilting. Good luck.

I think your quilt is quite lovely and I would not quilt over the stitches. I would hand quilt and I might cross hatch, do feathers in the corner or I might just do some straight lines down about an inch apart or I might radiate out from the center motif. Oh, I like that idea. Anyway, it's a nice quilt and it will be even better once it is quilted.

I am going to take the plunge. Exactly what plunge is still up in the air. I will get batting one day this week. I appreciate all the kind words and the quilt top is actually starting to grow on me a bit.

From what I can see, you have the beginnings of a fantastic quilt. I would have it custom quilted.

I don't think it is ugly. I really like it but I agree with others that I would not quilt over the design. I would only quilt the white open areas. I think it is kind of pretty and I love old things.

I agree with the other responders. I like it, and I would love to see it finished. You did a beautiful job with the embroidery, and I'm sure however you decide to finish it, it will be beautiful then, too! Good luck!

Pretty quilt!

Not sure on quilting but it looks great!

I think it is an awesome quilt. If you don't want to send it out either cross hatching or stipple/meandering around the cross stitch would look good.

I'm not that good at giving quilting hints but I have to tell you that you did a great job with your embroidery. Thanks for sharing with us.

Not ugly, very pretty. I would take it to a long arm quilter, it will be beautiful. I think the blue marks will come out in time. Please let us see the finished quilt!

I'm coming in late to the party here but I just want to say that I think the quilt is beautiful! I'm with the others in that I would outline everything and then crosshatch. I think that would look wonderful with the cross stitching! I think your going to completely change your mind about this quilt once you've got it quilted. It's a diamond in the rough! Good luck!

I got side tracked by a hurry up quilt, but this one is next on the agenda and I will start it by next week. I think I will attempt it just s you have suggested. I'll post a new picture when it is finished.

I love your story and the quilt is very pretty. It is a survivor after all this time and will come to life once it is quilted, how ever you decide to do it. Personally, I wouldn't quilt over the cross stitching. Outline it and then fill in the open areas any way you can. Once you start to do the batting, backing and basting you will get ideas.