Expert: Luna - 1/2/2009

Question
Hello I just purchased a baby blanket kit that has the batting and and the back already attached.  It says to use the hidden stitch method.  Can you explain how to do this stitch?  Thanks!

Answer
Hello Wendy,

Take a look at your average cross stitch project. On the 'front side' the work looks beautiful, as it should. Now turn the work over to the 'back side' and the work looks entirely different. There you see all the knots made, the threat that was carried across certain sections and any mistakes that were made. This is the side you don't want people to see because its just not that attractive.

Well, when doing a baby blanket you don't want to see any of the 'back side' work on that either. So you have two options on how to hide the 'back side' of your work.

The first option is the hidden stitch method. It is just like regular cross stitch except for the fact that you are only stitching through the top layer of fabric. When you are making a stitch your needle goes through the first layer of fabric and part of the batting, but before it pieces the final layer of fabric, you bring the needle back up through the batting and the top layer again. In this way all your 'back side' work is hidden within the batting of the blanket. When you turn the blanket over there is no indication that you just cross stitched a beautiful pattern on the other side.

Some people , like my husband's grandmother, just doesn't have the patience to do the hidden stitch. It does take a little bit longer to do then regular stitching. But there is an alternative.

You can cross stitch the entire piece like you normally would with all your 'back side' work showing. Then, with a piece of fabric that you love, sew on a new layer to your work to cover up the 'back side' work. sewing on this new layer can add a little more body to the blanket and -depending on what fabric you select- can give the blanket an extra layer of warmth.

Either of these methods are good. The cross stitch police won't come and arrest you if you decided not to do the hidden stitch. Which ever method you choose the recipient will cherish the blanket for years to come.

I hope this helps.