How to Crosshatch with Rulers

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Crosshatching with rulers is so easy and accurate. I always shied away from doing any type of crosshatching because I thought it would be too difficult but I found it quick and easy when I did it with rulers.

[@debmetheral6596]

What great I formations Thank you from Ontario.

[@melindaostergren8115]

Thank you. This was very helpful for me. I took a 3 day class with an amazing teacher, purchased all kinds of her specialty rulers and was completely overwhelmed and frustrated. I shouldn’t have put myself in that situation because of my learning style; it just wasn’t a good match for me. So I got rid of the rulers and decided this skill was beyond what I wanted to use. And then I stumbled across this video today and it was eye opening for me. Just the simple idea of sewing away from myself instead of from left to right makes me think I can do this! And starting with just one ruler, a nice sized straight edge to begin with makes so much sense to me. I like cross hatching very much. Thanks for inspiring this new subscriber!

[@Kim-xg1vm]

Thank you for sharing!.. FYI your kitty was stealing some of the spotlight😻

[@little1942]

When I’m doing ruler work on the long arm, I keep the ring on the spacing gage on my middle finger. That way if I need to do some free motion work, I know I won’t lose my gage. Mine came on a lanyard and the ring attaches to the it. I have the lanyard hanging on the light bar over the LA so I always know where it is; even when I’m not using it. That gage is the most valuable tool I have for ruler work! Very nice video on cross hatching. I haven’t tried it with ruler work on the LA yet (I used my walking foot at the time) but I do like the effect of it. I used it on a “trip around the world” for a new grand baby several years ago. That “baby” got his first lesson on quilting with the long arm this past weekend. I was shocked when he said he wanted to learn. He actually did a pretty good job for his first time!

[@karenpresley7101]

You explain things so well that I know I'll be able to do it. I shouldn't have a problem with projects I'm planning. Thank you.

[@janice5988]

Great video! Thank you

[@racheloreilly8653]

I have had problems in the past cross hatching in that I get puckers at the crossing. Do you have any suggestions to stop this from happening? Your project didn't pucker that I could see.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

I find it works best if you start in the centre of any project and work towards one side and then do the opposite side. Same goes for the next row of stitching (the actual crosshatch). I also starch my fabrics before doing anything else with them so they are a bit stiff and I find this helps as well.

[@KJW930]

I have done a fair amount of x hatching. If you are using a walking foot, not FMQ, then try easing up your foot pressure. I have a Pfaff with the IDT and easing the fot pressure helps a lot. I also increase my stitch length, and losen my top thread tension a bit. I also start in the middle usually. Right now I am doing a large project (king sizebed runner) so. I make the hatch as I go, Meaning I sew one line, then the perpendicular line. Then press. That way if I get a pucker, Ican fix it before I have several rows to rip out. HTH. I hope using a straight edge ruler will help deal with some of these problems!

[@lynneichling725]

Thank you for this interesting video. Does your machine have a stitch regulator or is that just your talent and skill? In spite of having FMQ several projects, I can't seem to get my stitches to be of an even length. Any suggestions you might have on this issue in future videos would be appreciated.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

No, that's definitely my skill - not! 😉 I set the speed control on my Janome M76 to a comfortable speed for me and then keep my foot pressed all the way down on the foot pedal for a consistent speed.

[@racheloreilly8653]

2nd question. Sew Steady sessions, where would I find them? Thanks

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Search for "Sew Steady" on Facebook and you'll find their page and that is where they host their Facebook lives. You can also find their free "Events" on their website. Some are in-person but they have many that are online and you can sign up for them to get the link to that particular presentation.

[@lizm4557]

Would I be able to use this ruler with regular sewing, not free motion, and run my pressure foot against the edge of the ruler?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You would need to have a ruler foot on your machine to use it as in the video.

[@wekebu]

So there's no concern with having to go in opposite directions with each row as you stitch. In other words, one row get sown north to south. The next road gets sown south to north?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

I didn't do that but I did start in the centre and stitch to one side and then from the centre to the other side. I know that that can be an issue when you are using a walking foot but I didn't encounter any issues with ruler quilting.

[@debbielee7117]

Were you aware this video is posted in Missouri Star’s tutorial app?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

No, thanks for the heads up.