Expert: Angela - 8/12/2008

Question
i've only ever cross stitched on aida, but i'm making a patchwork quilt and want to stitch a small design on each square.  how could i do this?  i know you can stitch onto t-shirts and things, but i've never done that either.  can you tell me what to do, or where i can find a tutorial?

Answer
Hello, Cleo :)

You would need to use waste canvas to stitch your design onto the quilting fabric.  In order to do this, follow these simple steps:

Cut a square piece of waste canvas about 3" larger than the design that you've chosen, and hand baste it to the fabric around the edges.  First, baste it all around, and then from corner to corner in an "X".  Next, find the center of the waste canvas, and insert a needle in the center.  Begin your stitching.  Before you stitch over the "X", be sure to cut the threads as you will have a hard time removing them afterwards.  You can use an embroidery hoop like normal, or a Q-Snap (which I prefer to use).

Once your design is complete, simply take a spray bottle filled with water, and spray the design and waste canvas.  Be sure that the water is cold as you don't want the dyes from the threads to run onto the fabric.

With a pair of tweezers, start pulling the waste canvas threads out one by one - both horizontally and vertically.  When you have finished removing these threads, simply iron away the wrinkles on the wrong side using steam and a cotton setting.

I hope that helps.  Good luck, and happy stitching! :)

Sincerely,

Angela