Over the summer I have made several quilts and tie quilted them. I have been asked "what is tie quilting", so I decided to post an explanation and an example of how to tie quilt.
Tie quilting has been practiced for a long time. Prior to quilting using a quilt frame and sewing the layers together with a needle and thread making fancy patterns, people used to use yard to hold the three layers of a quilt together. This method was quit a bit faster than the other method and you will find quilts all over the world that have been "quilted" in this manner.
Below are the instructions on how to "Tie Quilt":
Step 1 - You will lay all three layers of your quilt together: Backing (right side) facing down, then place your batting on top of the the backing piece. (*** NOTE *** The back ing and batting should be approximately 2 inches bigger than your quilt top on ALL SIDES - so that means it will be 4 inches wider and 4 inches longer and you place the quilt top right in the middle allowing 2 inches on each side. ) Then you will place your quilt top (right side) facing up and pin the three layers together with large safety pins.
Step 2 - Next I start at one end of the quilt and roll it up like you would an area rug. This enables you to put the quilt on the kitchen table or whatever table you have available to work on.
Step 3 - Once you have your quilt rolled and on the table, you will need to use a measuring tool to determine where you want your first tie to start and use a chalk pencil to mark your starting point.
Step 4 - You will need a darning needle and some yarn. Use whatever color yard you feel is appropriate for your quilt. For this quilt I used dark navy blue yard because the quilt is made out of denim and jewel toned fabrics. You will hold the fabric in one hand and insert the needle as shown below
through all three layers.
Step 5 - Once you have pulled the yarn through all three layers, you will tie the yarn into a knot and cut the yarn to the length you desire.
Step 6 - Now you will make a row of these all the way across the bottom of your quilt. After you get to the end, you will use your measuring tool to mark the next row to be Tie Quilted.
Step 7 - As you complete a row start rolling the blanket over the completed rolls. You will see how this will make doing the tie quilting easier.
Step 8 - Continue all steps noted above until you get to the far edge of the quilt. I usually turn my quilt around and work the last few rows like I did when I started ther first few rows.
Once you get all of your rows tied, you will trim the excess backing and batting material making all three edges even. Then you will add your binding edge fabric to finish the quilt.
Happy Sewing!!!!
