| Often quilters are reluctant to tie a quilt because it | | | | Many tied quilts are simply tied in the corners between |
| seems like too much of a shortcut, but they are | | | | the blocks, leaving the blocks as open space. Other |
| anxious to finish the quilt. | | | | quilts are tied in the center of each block with either |
| While hand quilters love the look of a skillfully hand | | | | yarn or perle cotton. |
| quilted quilt, and machine quilters appreciate the beauty | | | | But, tying a quilt doesn't need to be boring! |
| and complexity of fine machine quilting, tying a quilt can | | | | The best ties are washable, won't unravel, will stay |
| be equally rewarding. And those ties don't need to be | | | | tied, and are strong enough to hold together when |
| simple yarn knots with tails tied every 6 inches. | | | | they are tied. Even with those considerations, why not |
| For example, take a look at some of the particularly | | | | add a little flair? Using embroidery floss or cording |
| ornate Crazy Quilts from more than 100 years ago. | | | | might be a possibility. And instead of using yarn or |
| These gorgeous Crezy Quilts were tied, but it isn't | | | | perle cotton, try a ribbon. |
| obvious how they were tied, since you can't see the | | | | And what about adding something interesting in the |
| ties on the front; maintaining the focus on the fine | | | | tie? Sew a cute shaped button - say a train or fire |
| embroidery stitches surrounding the Crazy Quilt | | | | truck - onto your quilt, and then tie the knot on the |
| patches. | | | | back of the quilt. Simply pull your thread from the back |
| On the back side of these quilts there are simple | | | | of the quilt, attach the button, and knot the thread, just |
| double thread tacks holding the quilt together. To | | | | as you would sew a button on a shirt. |
| achieve this, the patchwork quilt top was sewn to a | | | | Another possibility is a bow. Instead of just knotting |
| foundation fabric, securing the top to the inner layer. | | | | your quilt tie, finish it off with a bow. Add a large button |
| The backing layer is also attached to the foundation | | | | under the bow for an even more interesting look. As |
| fabric in the center of the quilt, but the ties do not | | | | added safety against the bow coming untied, double |
| come through to the quilt top. The double threads can | | | | knot it. |
| be tied on the back by carefully pulling the needle and | | | | And speaking of trains, trucks and other things with |
| thread through only the back and foundation layers. | | | | wheels, make double-sided circles of fabric and sew |
| Extra work, to be certain, but clearly worth the effort in | | | | them on to your quilt as wheels of your vehicle, |
| order to preserve the quality and beauty of the Crazy | | | | attaching them just in the center. You might even add |
| Quilt top. | | | | a button on top, and make the fabric circle wheel able |
| But, What About the Patchwork Quilts of Today? | | | | to spin around. |
| Everyone agrees that tying a quilt is much faster and | | | | If you have a lattice on your quilt top, maybe you could |
| generally easier than either machine or hand quilting. | | | | lay down a narrow ribbon and tie it in place with ribbon |
| Basically anyone who can hold a needle can tie a quilt | | | | ties every few inches along the way. If this quilt will be |
| and get a sense of accomplishment. All members of a | | | | washed, you might want to secure the ribbon strips |
| congregation are invited to tie a knot in the prayer quilt, | | | | with other stitching as well. |
| no sewing ability needed. Yarn, perle cotton or | | | | Where you place the ties on your quilt can be |
| embroidery thread tied in a simple knot is perfect for | | | | interesting, too. Just as quilters stitch their quilting to |
| that kind of quilt. Often, the quilters in the group put the | | | | make a design, your ties can add to the design of your |
| ties in and the congregation simply ties the knots. | | | | quilt. |
| Other quilts would be ruined by either hand or machine | | | | If your quilt has an ocean flavor, your ties can be like |
| quilting. Anyone who has seen a moderately heavily | | | | birds in the sky or whiskers on a seal. A basket quilt |
| quilted quilt understands that the quilting tends to | | | | might have bows along the handles of the baskets. |
| reduce the puffiness in a quilt. | | | | And your Sunbonnet Sue might have ribbons on her |
| If you want a puffy, fluffy quilt, using thick batting will | | | | hat. |
| give you that look. And tying the quilt will keep the | | | | Have fun with every aspect of your quilt - from |
| layers together while maintaining the puffiness you | | | | sewing the blocks together to quilting the top - whether |
| want. Hand or machine quilting this type of quilt would | | | | you hand quilt, machine quilt or tie your quilt, finish it so |
| significantly reduce the puffiness, and completely | | | | someone you love can enjoy using it. |
| change the look of your quilt. | | | | |