How do I tie off a quilt top?

Question

How can I tie off a quilt top as opposed to having it stitched? I'm trying to tie a quilt top for my first grandchild (a boy!!!) and all I keep coming up with are what could become uncomfortable knots. Any immediate information on this would be greatly appreciated as "Allen" is due in mid-March.

Answer 1

The "correct" knot for tying quilts is a surgeon's knot, which is basically a square knot with an extra twist on the bottom part. It won't come untied in the wash. Hold the two ends in opposite hands. Cross the left side over the right, wrap around, then wrap again and bring back up. You have two twists. Now cross the right side over the left, wrap around and bring back up. Pull both sides to tighten. (It's important to remember when tying a square knot or a surgeon's knot that the first tie is left over right, and the second is right over left. If you tie both left over right, or both right over left, you've made a granny knot and it will not be secure.) Be sure to use cotton yarn or cotton crochet thread, which will shrink in the wash and lock tight. I've tried tying a flannel and fleece quilt using yarn and a larger needle, and it's a real challenge. I'd recommend using a finer material, like the crochet thread (what they use for making doilies) or cotton embroidery floss. Not only will it be easier to get through the fabric, it will make smaller, less uncomfortable knots.

Another alternative is to tack the quilt on your sewing machine. Rather than stitching a pattern, you use a bartack stitch, like a short satin stitch, every few inches. Clip the threads between the tacks when you're finished. This is very secure, and a lot faster than tying. There's a good description below.

Be sure to check your batting to see how closely it has to be fixed - either tied, tacked or quilted. Some batting requires quilting as close as 3", which makes for a lot of tying. Look for one that allows wider spacing - up to 10".

Answer 2

If you have made a top {pieced} or just layering the fabrics, First you need to lay all your layers, your backing, I use a cute baby print that matches the front, then the batting, Mountain mist, the thin stuff, I want the kids to use it, then the top, whether pieced or just a cute print. I use safety pins to hold it together while I use crochet thread, with a large eyed needle to tie the quilt together. I use my hand as a measuring template to space my ties. I lay all of the layers on a surface that I can put my hand under to work the sewing needle.
1 surface big enough to lay the fabrics
2 backing, bottom, larger than the middle and top, batting, middle, smaller than the bottom but larger than the top. top, the smallest piece, last
3 secure all layers together with safety pins
4 use large sharp needle with large eye and choice of thread to tie quilt,
I usually leave 3 to 4 inches and tie 4 or 5 times to make sure
it doesn't come undone. I use crochet thread, and trim to about 1 inch, after I'm sure I have everthing tied.
I space my ties 1 hand palm apart in any direction.
5 make sure all the sides match by trimming and put binding on
~~~~~~Happy Quilting~~~~~~~~~

Answer 3

Wow! Congratulations! Actually tying a quilt is done with knots probably like the one you are using. You might try using a pearle cotton thread...a size 5 or even an 8 would do. It is soft and fairly thin but still strong enough to withstand washings.

deb 'n Texas
www.stitchinheaven.com

Answer 4

Try tieing it with embrodery thread. Separate it to about 3 or 4 strands, or see how many it would take. If you're using thick batting, it might take more. You are likely feeling the knots because you tie it too tightly or using too heavy a thread. If you use a softer lighter thread, you could use more knots, or heaver thread, for less knots. I'm sure Allen and his mom will appreciate any effort you make. Thats what grandma's are for! Congratulations...

Answer 5

I've never quilted before and would love to learn! What a sweetheart you are to be making such a heirloom for your first grand-baby...congradulations.

Anyway, I did a search for what you described and the link is below. The second link is of a glossary and then 'tying' is listed under 'Tacking' it also showed photos of quilts made with that technique.

Good Luck and God Bless your growing family.

Answer 6

You could also use yarn to make the "ties". The "tie" (knot) should be on top. It will soften as it is washed. I have a tied quilt that my grandmother made for me and I never notice the ties.