Stitches

What is the proper way to do cross stitch, stitches in embroidery?

I am working on quilt blocks. They are all done in cross stitch on poly cotton fabric. I was wanting to know what is the proper way of doing the stitches? Does it really matter if the stitches all meet at the points? Am looking for everyones input . Thank You.

Public Comments

1. The right way is to find the center of the pattern and work out from that point. Your stitches should all run the same way. If your stitch is in this direction / on the bottom, then all should be in the same direction on the bottom. Then when you do the top cross it will all be uniform. There is a full cross, a half stitch, and a 1/4 stitch. It really does matter that the stitches meet at the corners to have a uniform look to your work. I hope this helps and have fun making this, sounds interesting.
2. There are two basic ways of working a cross stitch. One is to work each stitch individually, first / then \. Then the next stitch: / then \. The other way is to do a whole row of ////////// and then travel back crossing them: \\\\\\\\\\\. Either works, either is successful, either is correct. You can also do rows vertically instead of horizontally. The back looks better if you choose one method or the other and stick to it. Neat backs are prized by embroiderers. The most formal way of working cross stitch is to have all the stitches meet at the points, as you say. Some people prefer to work in a more informal style that does not have the crosses touch at the corners -- I think it looks goofy, as rows of cross stitches are pretty formal by nature.
3. To achieve a good finish the cross stitches do need to meet at the points. The others have explained the rest.