Lorchen wrote:
I don't know what I'll do at this time but puffy areas are NOT my favorite so I probably will do some quilting around her embroidery.

I know I saw these several years ago (or one in process) and think they are state flower designs.

I tend to use a flat batting and will as well for this.

Thanks!!
Joyce

One more thing, Joyce: The actual quilting. If you don't want to quilt around (over) the embroideries, then you must make sure that the batting is suitable for the distance that remains unquilted.

Lorchen

Oh wow! Thanks for these quick replies!!

I don't know the size of sister's blocks but did consider a pieced block alternating with her stitched blocks.

I also don't know about what size weave she used on her cross-stitch. I've asked for pictures so am waiting on that.

Thanks for the encouragement tho! It is good to know you've done this and are happy with your quilts. I was concerned it wouldn't look nice.

I'll look for Cindy tomorrow. Great idea!

Joyce

I do this all the time, and only use a lightweight stabilizer behind the blocks if I'm making a bed quilts or if the fabric used for the embroidery is a very loose weave. I often hand embroider on 28-count Lugana by Zweigart and a stablizer is not needed. I normally use 80/20 wadding. Piecing a quilt/wallhanging like that needs a little more care because you are using fabrics that are quite different in weight and density (thread count). Piecing is easier if you use a little spray starch on your cotton fabrics. But then you really have to wash your piece once it's finished. I would not leave the starch in. I also always make very sure that the edges of the embroidered pieces don't fray by zig-zag-ing around them (I don't have an overlooker/serger to do that job). In my opinion that is very important. You may also find that working with embroidered panels can have its moments, because the embroidered pieces are a lot heavier than the other fabrics. It's well worth persevering though, because the end result can be simply stunning.

Lorchen

I did what Anne said she would do now. I can't remember if I did any quilting on the cross-stitched blocks. I alternated the cross-stitch with pieced blocks and put sashing between them. I really liked that quilt.

I made a bed size quilt with cross stitch blocks and sashing eleven years ago. Tied it because I had no idea how to quilt it (it is one of my three layer bedspreads that gets called a quilt LOL)

I didn't use any kind of stabilizer behind the squares (didn't even know about such a thing back then) and used a high loft batting (another dumb choice but live and learn) I have never had the batting bleed through the cross stitch squares and that quilt has been on our bed continuously for all eleven years. I don't wash it but air it out frequently and fold it back at night but have seen no damage.

having learned a few things, here is what I would probably do now. I would use a very lightweight stabilizer behind each square and a low loft firm batting either cotton or wool. I am not sure how I would quilt the squares I used in my bedspread as they were almost all buildings or scenes from places where we had traveled over the years.

But for truly expert advice, I would e mail Cindy Needham who works with the vintage linens. Do a search for her as she is a member. She has answered questions for me and probably has the best answers and the most experience working with embroidered pieces.

Ann

My sister has asked if I'd make a wall hanging from her counted cross-stitch blocks.

Have you ever done this?
Do you think it will work?
Do I need a layer of fabric to back the cross-stitch blocks to keep the batting from poking out?

I have design liberties. She knows nothing of quilting.

Thanks for your help!
Joyce