Quilting is the age-old skill of joining two layers of fabric that have batting between them, to make a quilt! To join the pieces together and embellish the quilt, you need to know how to stitch them together properly. Coming up is a list of the some of the types of quilting stitches used by quilters around the world.
Running Quilting Stitches
The running stitch is popular among quilters to establish a steady sewing technique. This simple stitching method involves inserting the needle through the front of the fabric. In the next step, catch a tiny piece of the back of the fabric.
Reinsert the needle through the layers of the fabric several times in a steady pattern. You can make the running stitch process faster! Either use a thimble or insert the needle through several stitches at once before pulling the thread.
Rocking Quilting Stitches
To create the rocking stitch, you will be using a thick needle. Put one hand under the bottom layer of the fabric to hold it in place as the needle pierces each layer starting from the top.
When you get the needle to the bottom layer, then bring the needle up to the upper layer using a rocking motion. After ‘rocking’ four or five times through the layers, pull the thread taut.
This stitching method will involve lots of movement of the needle. Generally, it is used together with the straight stitch and running stitch.
The Stitch in the Ditch
Just as the name ‘stitch in the ditch’ suggests, the stitch is not visible on the quilt. You will be making this stitch right inside the seam line, where it disappears into the seam. If you want to outline parts of a quilting design, this is the ideal stitch to use.
This stitch is not complicated and can be achieved using a simple running stitch.
Quilter’s Knot
The quilter’s knot is a basic quilting stitch to be used at the beginning and end of stitch patterns. To make the quilter’s knot, wrap the thread around the threaded needle three times. The second step is to pull the three loops down over the thread to make a knot.
Now, trim the thread at the end with the knot. Lastly, begin stitching in the center of the quilt as you pull the knot through the fabric to the back of your quilt. Now that you are finished, this knot will keep your stitch patterns firmly in place.
Loading the Needle Quilting Stitch
The Loading the Needle stitch differs from other stitches in the way it appears. It will look like a series of stitches grouped together in segments. Place four or more stitches in a row through the batting without going all the way through to the backing.
You can make this stitch either by hand or by using a machine. If you choose to use a machine, the stitch-needle plate will guide the stitch along the fabric without piercing the backing. When looking at a quilt that has this stitch, you will notice that the groups of stitches are repeated in sections along the length, strengthening the quilt in the process.
There you go – five of the most common quilting stitches that you need for your quilting projects. Have fun as you try them out!
