How to Tie a Quilt: Quilting Finishing Technique

Tying a quilt is the easiest way to finish your project. The yarn, after washing several times, becomes soft little ‘buttons’ and adds to the charm of your heirloom quilt.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scissors
• Quilt top
• Backing material
• Batting
• Large eyed needle
• Yarn

Finishing your Quilt

1. Cut a piece of backing fabric slightly larger than your quilt top. Lay it face down on the table or floor.

2. Cut a piece of batting the size of your quilt backing, and lay it on top of your quilt back.

3. Lay your quilt top, face up, on the top of your batting.

4. Choose where you would like your yarn ties. These can be the middle of your squares, or on cornerstones or on your sashing. Wherever you choose to put them, make them consistent and close enough that they will keep the three layers from shifting when washed.

5. Starting in the middle of the quilt and working out, take one large stitch through all three layers, and then bring the needle back up through all three layers so you have one big stitch holding the three layers together. Pull the yard until you have 2” from the end of the yarn, then cut the other end so it is also 2” long.

6. Tie in a square knot (right over left, left over right). Repeat until all of your ties are complete. Bind the outside edge and your quilt is complete.

[moonglow]

on 8/9/2008 What a GREAT article!!! I look forward to seeing more of your work!

[Susanh]

on 4/14/2008 Depending on the style of the quilt, I have also used embroidery thread to tie my quilts instead of yarn. They turn out really nice!