How Well Do You Know Your Stitches?

How Well Do You Know Your Stitches?

Every hobbyist out there knows that a garment or blanket is only as good as the stitches used to put it together. However, for those just getting started, all those stitches may look the same. This is not true. Each stitch is different in its application and design. Some stitches are purely used for combining two materials. Other stitches have more intricate patterns that are appealing to the eye. Knowing your stitches can help improve your skills for quilting in NH. Here are the most common stitches every hobbyist should know.

Straight Line Quilting

Straight line quilting results in a fresh, modern looking quilt. The direction of the stitch does not matter so long as it goes from point A to point B on the quilt in one straight line. This can be achieved by using your sewing machine. All you have to do is set your machine to a long straight stitch and mark where on your fabric that line will go. For intricate patterns using this simple stitch, layer them in different directions to form squares and diamonds.

Free-Motion Loops

This is the easiest way to quilt. Free-motion loops allow you to stitch freely across the quilt any way you choose. It’s a fun way to leave caution to the wind and get creative. All you have to do to keep the lines looped is let the quilt pattern give you cues. Marking the fabric with chalk can also help guide where you want the design to go.

Echo Quilting

The best way to emphasize shapes pieced into a quilt is with echo quilting. These stitches follow the natural pattern created by the shapes. For this technique, all you have to do is keep lines parallel to each other equal distances apart.

Stitch in the Ditch

The purpose of stitching in the ditch is to keep all stitches straight while simultaneously keeping them a uniform width from the seam. To do this, you must keep all stitches parallel to the seams of the quilt. This trick for quilting in NH won’t show the stitches so much on the front as it does on the back.