need advice on how to tie a quilt
 

I purchased some Minkee for the back of a quilt, and after reading the advice on this board have decided to tie it instead of FMQ. What do I use for the "ties"? How close together do they need to be? Can I do a French folded binding? Any other advice. I know I can Google lots of these questions, but I trust the people of this board for the best advice. Thanks :-)

I have made several quilts with Minkee. That Minkee is stronger than any binding you could put on there. Just bring the Minkee up over the quilt edges to the top. I usually have about a one inch hem and it's easier for me to just use a straight stitch to sew it down. I have seen other use decorative stitches. Your quilt, your call. The one I made for my youngest over 5 years ago shows no wear and tear on the edge of the quilt and he sleeps all twisted up in it every night.

We used crochet thread to tie quilts when I was a kid. Comes in several colors. If you are using Minkee, you are probably not using batting - would make it too heavy and hot. We did ties at every 4 inches. But, did you know you could just use a decorative stitch on your machine to tie/tack your quilt? Find a pretty one like a flower or some other design and put it about every 4 to 6 inches.

I have heard others using yarn to tie with.

I use crochet thread or embroidery floss for my tied quilts. It is important that the knots are very secure.

If you use batting, the ties should be the distance apart that is recommend on the batting package. When close ties are recommended, it is because the batting is not needled or scrimmed and needs them close, so that it hangs together over time. If you don't use batting, then the ties are there only to keep the layers of the blanket together and prevent twisting and wadding up. They don't have to be as close.

Enjoy your project!

Dayle

When I made my very first quilt 34 years ago in a class, we were advised to use polyester knitting yarn. That quilt is still around and still tied. I do like the idea posted above to use machine embroidery stitches and that's what I would do now.

I have tied many many quilts and always use yarn, making a double knot.

That's how I always did it, ordinary poly knitting yarn. My family has lots of tied quilts from years ago, they last. I measured the distance between the ties with my hand as I was tieing. First I pinned the backing to the carpet on the floor (tape it for wood floors) , then layered the batting and top. I pinned the top through all layers before I started to tie. If you make the minkie larger tan the top you should have no trouble bringing it to the top for binding after it's tied. Have fun!:thumbup:

many tied quilts are tied with either yarn or perle cotton (embroidery floss) a good tight double square knot will hold up for many many years of use
without batting being a factor often quilts are tied in about a 4" grid- (about the size of your fist between each tie)
if batting is used try to choose one that says on the package- good for tied quilts- then follow the guidelines for distance- closer is ok- (like if it says can be quilted up to 10" apart- it's fine to tie closer-like using the 4" basic) but if the batting says quilt every 4" don't space ties 9" apart- it won't hold up.
minkee is quite warm so works fine without batting- but it is not the easiest fabric to hand push a needle through-

I use Perle Cotton Thread or 1/8" satin ribbon. I sew through twice and then tie it with a double surgeon's note. Having been using this method for over 20 years and have never had any come untied. Even the ones for the shelter. I had tried acrylic thread when I started and it never stayed tied, even though I still used the Double Surgeon.

HTH

I have made binding with Minkee and it has worked fine. If I tie a quilt I always use a surgeon's knot (see attached video). With Minkee I would tie closer together because Minkee does stretch. Give it a good stretch when you are sandwiching and measure the width of your hand between each tie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeaIy...eature=related

amh