Exploring the Cross-Hatch Stitch

   One of the first hand quilting designs I learned was the basic cross-hatch. My small quilt sandwich was placed in a hoop as I worked through across the lines developing consistency with every stitch. If you are just starting your hand quilting journey I encourage you to relax, take your time, and focus on one stitch at a time until the motion becomes natural to you. Once your hands move through the motion freely, set your focus toward stitch consistency. Length is not as important as consistency. I always tell people; stitch length is a personal preference, but consistency is a key.

   Over the years this foundational stitch has found its place in many a finished quilt. From baby to large bed, this design is sturdy and functional for a quilt that will face days of use, wear, and washing. As a quilter, this design is quick and works well for hoop quilting or large quilt frames.

   As you can see, my cross-hatch section is complete on my stitch sampler..the design offers nice stability to the layers while providing pleasant texture to the finished quilt. Let's take a look at our video where we look at marking, setting up, and working the design on our quilt sample.

   Would you like to have a live quilting session with us? Email me at simplyscaife@yahoo.com for details on group or private quilting sessions; custom quilt finishing or consultations. As always, please share your questions and experiences in quilting with us in the comment box..it's always an encouragement to me. Let's stitch something beautiful!