Subscribe Now!

QuiltersVillage
McCall's Quilting
Quick Quilts
Quilters Newsletter
Quiltmaker
  About QM
  Advertise
  Back Issues
  Basic Lessons
  Contact QM
  Contests
  Corrections
  Current Issue
  eBlasts
  Excerpts from the Experts
  From Our Readers
  LRN2QLT
  Motifs
  Online Guide
  Patterns
  Product Showcase
  Special Publications
  Test Drive
  Tips & Techniques
  Tours
  Web Extras

  Quilting Offers
   Crazy Quilts
Star Quilts
Log Cabin Quilts
Applique Quilts
Electric Quilt
 
 



QM Tips




Need a quick finish for your quilt? Consider continuous ties or machine tacks. These speedy but effective techniques are perfect for charity quilts like those for Project Linus.

Tips & Techniques

 Quilts Fit To Be Tied

Tying a quilt is probably the quickest way to finish it. After minimal basting, the layers are joined together with thread or yarn, and the loft of the batting blossoms between every tie. A tied quilt is often called a "comforter," one of those puffy, cozy things you snuggle under to sleep.

Continuous Ties

A simple method for tying a quilt is to make square knots that hold the layers together. The virtue of the continuous method is that you tie knots as you go without stopping to cut threads to trim tails.

Step 1

Insert the needle through all layers of the quilt and bring it back up to the surface, leaving a 2" tail on top. Tie a square knot as follows: Hold one thread in each hand. Wrap the left thread over the right thread, pull tightly, then wrap the new right thread over the new left thread and tighten the knot. Do not cut the thread.


Step 2

Bring the needle over to the next tying location. Insert the needle through all layers, and bring it back up to the quilt surface. From the front, slip the needle under the thread that lies between the first knot and the current tie location, forming a loop. Pass the needle over the thread to the loop, as in a buttonhole stitch. Pull the thread tightly to form a knot. Do not cut the thread.

Step 3

Move the needle to the immediate right of the knot you just formed. Slip the needle from back to front under the thread that lies between the original knot and the knot you just made. Form another loop. Pass the needle under the thread of the loop and pull tightly to form a square knot.

Step 4

Bring the needle to the next tying location and repeat Steps 2 and 3, moving from each tying location to the next without cutting the thread. Keep going until you run out of thread. Then cut between stitches to form tails, and trim tails to desired length.



Back to Tips & Techniques main page

1 2 Next