Expert: Luna - 8/4/2006

Question
Okay, I feel a little silly asking this question, but being a beginner, I really need some advice.  I am starting a special quilt for my friends baby, now this is my first attempt at a stamped pattern (i've done counted before) so do I stitch on the STAMPED side of the quilt or the side that is not stamped?  It sounds silly, but I'm just worried that the stamped pattern will be visable behind the stitching.  And also, is it really nessiciary to wash my threads?
Thanks alot.....awaiting your response so I can jump in and start!

Answer
Hello Coreen,

First of all, your question is not silly. In fact it is very common. People seem to forget there is a difference between counted and stamped cross stitch. In stamped cross stitch you stitch on the side that is stamped, following the stamped pattern. Stamped cross stitch is sort of like paint-by-number. You go in and fill the areas that the directions tell you to fill. It's as if someone went in and traced every place where you need to stitch and all you have to do is stitch over every line.

Don't worry about the lines being seen. When the entire quilt is finished you will need to wash the quilt. The stamped lines are made to disolve in water. Just make sure you don't get the quilt wet before the stitches are finished on your project or it will turn into a counted cross stitch!

As for washing your threads, that's a personal decision. I only pre-wash the really dark colors like red, blue or black. If you've never washed your colors for your counted cross stitch and you've never had any problem with colors bleeding then you should be alright.


I hope this helps.