When creating a quilted table runner, mini quilt, or large quilt throw, add some easy needlework and calm stitching to your creative quilted project. With just two stitches, a back stitch and some french knots you will add charm and visual interest to your quilt blocks instantly while you enjoy the benefits of calm hand stitching also known as needlework and hand quilting.
Using a simple Back Stitch you can:
- Add words to your quilt.
- Add rambling vines to your quilt block.
- Add accents to raw edge applique roofs and windows.
French Knots make cute accents to your quilt blocks:
- Add flowers and blooms or a wreath on a door to your quilt block.
- Add hair to a person on your quilt.
- Use french knots to put eyes and noses on applique animals.
- Add visual texture to your applique sheep.
- Add stars to a moon lit quilt block.
Benefits of Calm Stitching
- Set up a comfy and well lit spot for calm stitching.
- Have a container that will hold the project you are working on and the thread and needles you will need.
- Calm stitching can invite a sense of serenity and focus.
- It can inspire meditation.
- It can help you unwind and be very relaxing.
- It also fosters a sense of peace and contentment.
Add Words By Calm Stitching Them On Your Quilt Block
Add a little something special to a quilt you are making. It can be a quilt you design yourself or a quilt pattern that you are following and trying to create. Hand stitch a word or two to your quilt block. You can add a sentence of words if you like. Use a simple back stitch to create your letters. (I like the free tutorials that Sarah Edgar teaches on her website Pretty Fabrics & Trims Schoolhouse on how to back stitch and sew french knots. Such a fun site to explore!)
Here is a simple method of hand stitching a word or words to your quilt blocks.
- Write your words on fabric with a Frixion marker. The nice thing about this marker is that after you hand stitch over the marked letters gently iron your word and the marker will disappear.
- Use DMC embroidery thread or my favorite Perle Cotton thread.
- Hand stitch your word or words to your quilt block using a back stitch.
- Gently iron over your hand stitched word to remove the marker.
Look at what you have created then stand back and smile! With just a little hand stitching you can make your quilt block look comfy and super sweet.
Accent Appliques On A Quilt Block With A Simple Back Stitch
There are so many things you can do with a simple back stitch. Probably no limit to your imagination. I’ve listed a few things to get your creative ideas flowing for your next quilt block.
Rambling vine
Make a simple rambling vine on a fence by marking your quilt block with your Frixion pen or just free hand it with your thread and needle backstitching a line that goes up and down on your appliquéd fence. Later you can add some blooms with french knots but more about that later.
Raw Edge Cottage Roof
To make a raw edge cottage applique look very quaint, I decided to add diagonal stitching to my appliqued roof. I used a dark color of Perle Cotton thread to make my hand stitching stand out and drew lines on the roof using my ruler and my frixion marker. I used a simple back stitch and followed my marked diagonal lines.
Raw Edge Applique Windows
To add definition to the windows on my applique cottage, I machine stitched my windows to my raw edge cottage applique and then hand stitched with a back stitch around my windows and stitched a horizontal and vertical line inside my windows using a back stitch with Perle Cotton thread. It makes your windows come to life and your cute quaint home or cottage looks pretty inviting to those who venture close enough to look at your quilt.
French Knots Make Beautiful Accents
French knots are easy to make and oh so beautiful on a quilt block. I use them in a variety of ways. You can use a lot or just a few. Whatever suits your style.
Human Hair Look
If you need to add some hair to an appliqued person on a quilt, try adding some french knots. I was trying to create a Jane Austen looking lady for a quilt I am designing and gave the appearance of hair to the figure by adding french knots under the front and back of the appliqued bonnet. I think they worked great! If you wanted to add some long locks of hair blowing loose in the wind, try embroidering a few lines of back stitching from the head of the lady randomly to look like wisps of hair.
Roses and Blooms
Roses can easily be made using the french knot stitch. Embroider one or two or more together to form a small bunch of blossoms. Why not add a wreath to an appliqued door on a house on a quilt block. Just hand stitch a circle of french knots in bunches around your circle to resemble a green wreath.
Bring Animals To Life
Give your animals a life like look by using french knots. You can add eyes and noses to your appliqued animals. Like I mentioned, so many things you can spruce up using french knots.
Accent the look of an appliquéd sheep’s fur with french knots. It adds visual texture making you almost want to reach out and touch the sheep’s fur. A very simple and sweet look to the sheep.
Star Lit Moon
A bunch of french knots surround this moon making this starry night look moon lit. Cute and simple but it really makes the moon shine and stand out on this quilt block. I was trying to make the moon look a bit retro and friendly. I love the instant magical look that french knot stars provide.
I’ve given you just a few ways you can use french knots to charm up your quilt blocks but there are so many more! The sky is truly the limit when it comes to calm stitching ideas. Don’t be afraid to try some of your own creative ways of using french knots and back stitching. You can always start over if you experiment and aren’t happy with the outcome. Just try again. Nothing wrong with starting over until you get just the look you want.
Benefits Of Calm Stitching
Calm stitching is needlework, it’s hand quilting, and hand sewing. To get the full benefits from doing this, start by setting up a comfy spot where you can sit. It needs to be an area that is well lit. Lighting is key to your sewing success. Have a basket or container where you can keep your project and the thread and needles you need. Once you get going and get in the “flow” of your calm stitching, it is easy to get lost in thought. This can inspire serenity and focus as you sew along. The rhythm of the stitching, combined with gently pulling the thread through your fabric can be meditative allowing your mind to relax and unwind. It’s almost therapeutic and can encourage mindfulness. You can feel a sense of peace and contentment as you work on your calm stitching project. It’s not so much about the end result but the process of stitching and enjoying being in the moment. It gives you a sense of accomplishment as you create and complete your own beautiful project with calm stitching.
You may also like:
Do you enjoy appliquéing and want to step it up and make your appliques stand out? I’ve got some ideas for you here How To Make Your Applique Stunning And Bespoke
After you make a quilt, you should show your creative flair by attaching a handmade quilt label telling who made it , the date it was given to the recipient, and who it is for, and anything else you want to say. Here are some ideas for you An Unforgettable Way To Label Your Handmade Quilt: 5 Free Applique Quilt Label Design Templates
Need a table runner with lots of pizazz to showcase your kitchen or dining room table? Fun Easy DIY Quilted Raw Edge Flower Applique Table Runner
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