Stitching Designs

Stitch designs are just as varied as blocks. They can be as simple or elaborate as you want. There is straight line or channel stitching, outline stitching, echo stitching, shape stitching, interpretive motifs, and continous line stitching. 

 

When choosing a design, keep in mind that stitching always looks best on solid or light colored fabric. 

It doesn't show well on prints. You may see the puffiness, but not the threads. Don't waste your time stitching an elaborate design on a busy print. 

What I've noticed from making my own quilts is that people are more attracted to the colors and blocks than they are to the stitching. I've gotten more compliments on quilts that were stitched in the ditch or were lightly quilted than I have on continuous line or heavy quilting.

Channel stitching is generally spaced 1-2" apart.

Outline stitching accentuates an appliqué, inkjet transfer/print, or an object on the fabric.

Echo stitching is spaced 1/4" apart and can be one line or several.

Shape stitching involves stitching a motif in the same shape as the block. 

Interpretive motifs are based on a theme found in the quilt or fabric. They are often flowers, leaves, or animals.

 

Continous Line Stitching is the most popular. It can run the full length and width of the quilt, or accentuate a block or border.

 

1000 Great Quilting Designs contains every traditional hand quilting design imaginable and tells how to use them. 

  

Leah Day and Angela Walters are the best contemporary free motion quilters. Angela's book, Free Motion Meandering, Leah's book, 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs and their collaborative effort, Free Motion Quilting will have you stitching continuous lines in no time. Leah also has a blog with videos.

Inkscape is free open source software that lets you draw and edit vector objects. Professional long arm quilters use it to design and print pantographs. It includes tutorials for creating seamless patterns and designs along a path.

There is also a Free Motion app.