How to Tie a Quilter's Knot

Tie a neat knot before you quilt.

Whether you hand stitch a pieced quilt or quilt your pieces by machine, you will always need to do some hand stitching to finish a quilt. One skill a quilter learns early is the art of tying a knot in the thread. The knot must be large enough to secure the thread, yet not so large that it becomes obvious. Tie a quilter's knot at the end of your thread and anchor it unobtrusively between the layers of the quilt to start and finish your sewing threads.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton thread
• Scissors
• Quilting needle

Instructions

1. Cut a 15-inch length of cotton thread and thread your needle. Pull the thread through the eye of the needle so about 10 inches of thread are on one side of the needle and 5 inches of thread are on the other side of the needle.

2. Wrap the thread around the needle three times tightly at the point on the thread where you want the knot -- about 2 inches from the long end of the thread. Hold the wrapped thread between your thumb and forefinger to pinch it.

3. Pull the needle while continuing to pinch the wrapped thread. Continue pinching and pulling until you form a small knot at the end of the thread. Pull the knot tight.

Tips & Warnings

• Bury the knot in your quilting by inserting the needle through the backing and up through the quilt top. Pull the needle until the knot pops through the backing to conceal it. The batting layer between the backing and the quilt top will hold the knot securely.

References

• Cheap Quilts: How to Tie a Quilters Knot; May 2010
• Moonlight Quilters: Quilter's Knot