How to Quilt With Nylon

Nylon thread is invisible when used in quilt stitching.

Nylon thread is a thin transparent thread that allows the colors from a quilt to show through the quilt stitching. This is helpful when matching quilting thread is not available to match the quilt top fabric. Hand quilting with nylon thread uses a hand quilt needle. The thread knots easily so use lengths to quilt no longer than 24-inches. The knot is hidden under the top of the quilt top no different than quilting with regular quilt thread.

Things You'll Need

• Quilt
• Quilt stand
• Nylon thread
• Quilting needle
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Attach the quilt top, batting and back to a quilt frame according to the frame's specific directions. Adjust the quilt to the desired area to begin hand quilting.

2. Cut a piece of nylon thread from 18- to 24-inches in length. Thread the needle pulling the nylon thread through the needle approximately 6-inches. Tie a knot in the long end of the nylon thread.

3. Insert the needle through the top of the fabric to the back. Pull the knot through the top fabric. Separate the threads of the fabric and wiggle the knot through the fabric surface.

4. Stitch along the desired quilt pattern with the nylon thread making 1/16 to 1/8-inch stitches.

5. Tie off the end of the nylon thread by inserting the needle through the last hand quilting stitch. Pull the nylon thread through the stitch leaving a 1/2-inch loop in the thread. Insert the tip of the needle through the loop. Pull the thread tight.

6. Hide the end of the nylon thread by stitching between the layers. Insert the needle through the back of the fabric, into the batting and back out through the back of the fabric. Cut the nylon thread even with the fabric backing.

References

• FCS Lap Quilt Tutorial