How to Sew with X's and O's Fabric: Sweet Ideas with Love You Always in Burgundy
Some fabrics say it without words. The Love You Always XOs Burgundy Cotton from Riley Blake Designs does exactly that, covering the cloth with scattered X's and O's — the classic shorthand for hugs and kisses. Designed by Sandy Gervais for the Love You Always collection, this 100% cotton print is 43"/44" wide and made for quilting, apparel, and home decor. Its deep burgundy ground gives the playful motif a warm, romantic feel that works far beyond Valentine's Day.
What Makes This Print Special
At first glance, the scattered X's and O's look simple, and that is their strength. Because the motif is small, allover, and multidirectional, you do not have to worry about matching a large repeat or keeping a design upright when you cut. Every cut piece shows the pattern clearly, whether you are cutting wide borders or tiny squares. The burgundy colorway adds richness that pairs beautifully with cream, blush, soft pink, and other coordinates from the Love You Always collection, as well as with solid basics that let the X's and O's stand out.
As a standard quilting cotton, it handles like the Riley Blake fabrics quilters know well: it presses crisply, feeds evenly under the presser foot, and holds a seam without stretching on the straight grain. That reliability makes it a friendly choice for confident beginners and a dependable workhorse for experienced makers.
Best Uses in Quilts
In a quilt top, this print shines in three roles. First, use it as a background alternative in blocks where you want warmth instead of plain white — stars, hearts, and nine-patches all pop against the dark burgundy. Second, cut it into sashing strips, inner borders, or binding, where the scattered letters read as a sweet texture from a distance and a charming detail up close. Third, feature it in larger pieces — whole-cloth baby quilts, charm-pack quilts, and simple patchwork — where the repeat can show off uninterrupted.
For a Valentine or anniversary quilt, pair it with heart blocks and appliqué. For a baby or friendship quilt, mix it with ginghams, dots, and florals from the same collection for a softer, everyday look. Because the motif carries a message, it is also perfect for the back of a quilt: piece a backing with a wide panel of XOs in the center and solid borders to reach the size you need, and the recipient gets a hug every time they turn the quilt over.
Cutting and Piecing Tips
Pre-wash if you plan to mix this fabric with fabrics that may shrink differently, and press with a dry or lightly steamed iron before cutting. Use a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler for clean strips, and cut on the straight grain for patchwork pieces to keep blocks square. When piecing, a consistent quarter-inch seam and pressing seams to one side — or open for bulky joins — will keep the small motif aligned and the top flat. There is no need to fussy cut: the allover scatter means every square, strip, and triangle will include plenty of X's and O's.
Beyond quilts, try it for pillow shams and throw pillow covers, table runners for February or an anniversary dinner, drawstring gift bags, and simple apparel accents like a lined tote, apron ties, or a child's dress bodice paired with a solid skirt. Small scraps are ideal for mug rugs, coasters, and fabric cards.
Color Pairing and Care
Burgundy loves contrast. Cream and ivory brighten it, blush and dusty pink soften it, and a touch of gold or mustard adds a vintage note. For a modern look, pair it with charcoal or black solids and let the X's and O's provide the only pattern.
Care is easy, following the guidance for this fabric: machine wash cold and tumble dry low. Washing finished quilts in cold water on a gentle cycle and drying on low helps preserve the deep burgundy color wash after wash.
Whether you are stitching a gift for someone you love or adding a heartfelt layer to your own home, this is a print that does the talking for you — one X and O at a time.
Shop the Love You Always XOs Burgundy Cotton 43"/44" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
