How to Knot Quilts
Knotting, or tying, a quilt is an alternative to hand quilting. It serves the same purpose of joining the three layers of the quilt -- the backing, the center batting and the top piece -- together, but tying is quicker and easier to accomplish. Traditionally, quilts are tied with embroidery floss. However, yarn or thin ribbon may also be used.
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Things You'll Need
- Quilt backing
- Quilt batting
- Quilt top
- Large safety pins
- Ruler
- Pencil or quilter's pen
- Embroidery floss, yarn or thin ribbon
- Curved tapestry needle
- Scissors
Instructions
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1
Assemble the three layers of the quilt. Lay the backing face down, spread the batting on top of it, and finish with the quilt top, facing up.
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2
Secure the three layers of the quilt temporarily with safety pins. Attach a safety pin in the center of the quilt, through all three layers. Work outward in all directions, attaching a safety pin about every 3 or 4 inches until you reach the quilt edges.
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3
Consider the most attractive pattern for tying the quilt. This will most likely be at intersections of a pieced quilt top. If the quilt top is plain, use a light pencil or quilter's pen to mark tying points in straight rows, 5 in. apart horizontally and vertically.
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4
Thread 4 to 12 strands of embroidery floss, depending on the look you prefer, into the tapestry needle.
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5
Insert the needle at the tying point closest to the center of the quilt, and bring the needle up again about 1/4-in. away. Be sure to leave a tail for tying the center knot later. Carrying the thread across the quilt top, insert the needle at the next tying point and repeat. Continue in a straight line, until you reach the edge of the quilt. Remove the needle from the thread. Do not cut the long stitches connecting the tying points yet.
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6
Thread the needle again and work the same process in the opposite direction, from the center out. Then, work from the center to the left side and from the center to the right side, re-threading your needle each time you reach the edge of the quilt. Continue until all of the tying points have been stitched and you have a grid of long connecting stitches over the entire quilt.
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7
Cut the center of each long stitch. Tie a square knot at each tying point, and trim the ends to 1/2 in.
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Tips & Warnings
For an alternate look, tie a button onto each point with a square knot.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
