How to Hide Knots in Hand Quilting

With a little know-how, it's easy to hide knots in hand quilting.

Traditional hand quilting is a relaxing pastime. It isn’t difficult, but it does take some time. Once the quilt top is completed and sandwiched together with the batting and backing, place the quilt in a quilting frame. According to "McCall’s Super-Book of Quilting," the quilting stitch itself is simply a matter of pushing the needle straight down into all layers of the quilt. Grab the needle with the opposite hand and push it straight up through all layers of the quilt. The only trick is then hiding the beginning and ending of each strand of thread.

Things You'll Need

• Sandwiched quilt (quilt top, batting, backing)
• Quilting frame or hoop
• Quilting needle
• Quilting thread

Instructions

1. Separate the top layers of the quilt from the bottom layer when you first begin quilting. On the outer edge of the quilt, move the quilt top and batting up and away from the quilt backing.

2. Insert a threaded quilting needle into the batting and up through the top layer of the quilt. Don't go through the quilt backing.

3. Replace the quilt backing and continue quilting through all layers of the quilt.

4. Avoid knotting the thread at the end. Instead, take one backstitch, then take a long stitch through the quilt top and batting only. Take another backstitch and cut off the thread.

5. Thread the needle again and tie a knot in the end of the thread.

6. Insert the needle through the top of the quilt and the batting, about an inch from where the stitching should actually begin showing.

7. Pull the needle up through the quilt top. When the knot comes to the top of the quilt, tug the thread gently. The knot will slip through the threads of the quilt top and sit on top of the batting, invisible on the outside of the quilt.

Tips & Warnings

• Only small “quilter’s knots” are needed for quilting. Large knots are more difficult to hide and to slip through the quilt top.

• When hand quilting with a hoop to hold the quilt, begin quilting at the center of the quilt, skipping to Step 6 to hide the first thread knot.

• In almost every instance, you’ll want to use quilting needles and quilting thread. Quilting thread is generally stronger than ordinary machine sewing thread and quilting needles are designed to move easily in and out of the quilting stitch (also called a running stitch).

References

• McCall's Super-Book of Quilting; 1976
• How to Quilt; Hiding Your Hand Quilting Knot
• Sentimental Stitches; Hand Quilting
• The Purl Bee; Quilter's Knot How-to