Tips for Tying a Quilt
Last week, we talked about hand quilting. Today, let's look at tying a quilt. First, let's explore the advantages of tying a quilt. When you tie a quilt, it comes out nice and puffy. A finished quilt that is tied looks much like a down comforter. Plus it takes much less time to tie a quilt than it does to hand quilt. In addition, tying is very easy to do, which makes it a good choice for young quiltmakers or community projects where you would like to involve folks who don't quilt. (An example of this would be the Healing Quilts that many churches make and give to people in hospitals.) Here are a few tips for hand tying a quilt: 1 - Use a "thread" that is durable and colorful. It needs to withstand the tugging while being flexible enough to tie and stay tied. Embroidery floss, pearl cotton, yarn, ribbon or cording make good choices. 2 - Use a crewel needle which has a large eye and a sharp point, and is long enough to hold specialty threads. 3 - Decide where you want the ties to be, and mark those points with pins. Avoid seams and seam allowances. 4 - Start with a length of thread that is about 30 inches, with no knot in the end. Pull the thread down and then back up through your quilt and leave 3 inch tails on both sides of the stitch. 5 - Use a square knot, also known as a reef knot to secure your tie.
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