How to Tie a Quilt

The alternative to hand or machine quilting is to tie your quilt. Tying is a simple, yet very effective way of holding your quilt sandwich together!

Instead of quilting patterns or lines to hold the three layers together, you make a series of knots at regular intervals all over the whole quilt. This technique is fantastic for very thick quilts that have a heavy warm batting and where it would normally be very difficult to sew small even stiches.

The knots can be on the top or the reverse side of the quilt, it is entirely up to you as the quilter. If you want to make a knot with some little tassels then it will give the quilt a little texture, or you can use a button, embroidery thread or some wool.

Make sure whatever you use to tie the knot it is a strong thread and that the knots are very tight and secure and will not come undone with use and aftercare. Make sure the thread is colorfast and will not leak or fade (many embroidery cottons are intended for embroidery that is on display and not something that will be washed and used all the time!)

Tying is not really suited to your traditional style quilts and is probably a better method for rough or alternative styled quilts. If the quilt is to be use for everyday use or will be moved around and sat on a lot then you must make sure the knots are evenly spaced and reasonably close together.

When deciphering where the knots should go, you can either use a grid lock situation where they are an even distance apart regardless of what they tie or you can use the corners of each square or geometric shape depending on size. If you are tying them close together but following the pattern of the patchwork squares then it is ok if you have a lot of knots in one area and then a long thing piece of sashing with only a knot in the corners.