Okay. . . my quilt top is finished! There are still some threads to cut so ignore those! I had a heck of a time sandwiching everything together. For one: my apartment it too small. I thought my dining room would be big enough (after moving the table) but it wasn't :( . Second, I have two orange/white cats--which shed. . . . and I'm using a navy blue sheet for the backing. . . . :(

So I decided to drape it all over the table and start tying from the middle. BUT my needle wasn't sharp enough. What kind of needle should I be looking for? I had some tapestry needles and they would go through, but trying to get it back, in the right spot, was a problem. Of course, then I read the package and saw that they have blunt points. . . . I'm using cotton crochet thread to tie so the eye needs to be big enough for that. . . any suggestions? How about how to tie the knot? I did a search here and on google, but I'm just not getting it. I found this link but I either did it wrong or it just happens to be an ugly knot--cause I didn't like it!

I tell you--I thought piecing the top would be the difficult part--but the thought of tying a quilt made of 896 squares is a little daunting, to say the least. And I have NO idea how I'm gonna get the binding on--but I'll get there soon enough.

Thanks for any help!

I use the DMC Floss to tie my quilts. I use a regular needle with a big enough head. Bigger the needle, the better. Blunt tip won't work at all b/c you have to go through all the layers. I drop it down through all the layers, move it over a little and bring it back up. Then I double knot and cut excess. Becareful that you leave some string behind so your knot doesn't come out. Just tie a knot as if you were tying your sneakers. That is what I do, just w/out the bow. I tie most of my quilts. It does take a while, but if you do it while watching tv or something it makes the time go by faster. With 865 squares, you will have to take lots of breaks! Good Luck!

I've never tied a quilt so I can't help you. I can identify with your cat problem though :roll: THey do love to "help". Your quilt is really pretty and will turn out to be worth your time in finishing it. Good Luck!

Well I'm off to buy a needle. I have some regular sewing needles but the eye isn't big enough for the crochet thread. Maybe Michael's will have a "Quilt Tying Needle"! Anywho. . . I guess I have something (other than snacking) to do while watching TV at night!

sandpat, my cat's are USUALLY good boys. . . . but I keep them outta my office when I'm working--baby-gates are great. Sure they could jump it, but as long as someone's there, they know better.

Here's a pic of them sleeping in front of the wood stove. They're big--but won't be a year old until may/june (long story).

Joely (pronounce Joel-y. like mikey or katy) is the orange tiger; Alvin has the white patches. They're either bothers or cousins (my Aunt had two cats give birth at the same time--and they shared duties; no one knew what kittens belonged where).

your kitty babies are very cute and I realy like your quilt :D

What a great picture of the boys - they are wonderful! So is the quilt.

I love your quilt. I have never tied one. I'm sure it will be worth the time you put into it. I love the cats too. All of my quilts have to get my cats approval ( they sit on it while I'm pinning my quilt sandwich and sleep on it when I'm quilting it ) and if they didn't like it I would worry. LOL

when i tie, i start on one end of a row (usually the right because i'm right handed). I have the top up, like you do in your photo. i usually put my knots on the back. i poke the needle straight up through the layers at the first patch intersection, then straight back down about a quarter-inch away. i usually try to do it on a diagonal across the join. i keep my left hand under the quilt. keeping my hand in the way, i run the thread across and poke up at the next intersection. i use my hand to make sure i have a decent amount of thread running between the joins. i work up and back down at each intersection all the way across ... always using my hand to keep the thread slack between joins/stitches.

i repeat this process across all the rows. when i'm done, i flip the whole thing over. i cut the thread between the joins/stitches and then i tie the knots.

if you want the knots on the front, you'd keep the "slacker hand" on the top, of course.

it's still a slow process, but i can get the whole thing done in a lot less time doing it this way.

Good colors...and the simplicity of the squares makes it all eye candy.

Here's my $.02 contribution. Try a curve upholsterer's needle. It has a large eye and the curved needle "comes back to you" much easier. You may have to practice a bit, as it can seem awkward using a curved needle, but you'll get there.

You should be able to find the upholsterer's needle at JoAnn's or just ask for it at a quilt shop.

I use the needle to baste the top / batting / backing, making the "sandwich".

Enjoy!

m.

Here's a trick I learned a lonnnnng time ago, when you want to thread a needle with thread that is a bit bigger than the eye (I love a big eyed SHARP needle upholsterery needle, but I use the straight ones...curved ones don't work well with my fingers) cut a 1 1/2 or 2 inch length of heavy scotch tape. twist the end of the thread/yarn you're using a bit and place it in the middle of one half of the tape(parallel to the edge of the tape). Make sure to have a little spot of just tape between the fold and the thread/yarn. Then carefully fold the tape over the yarn/thread on the other half. Be careful not to get any crimps in the tape. Cut the end into a somewhat arrow shape and then flush with the yarn. The tape, yarn/thread will slip right on through the eye of the needle. when you get it pulled through the eye to the length you desire just snip off the piece with the tape.

I'm back from Michael's (we don't have a JoAnne's anymore :( ) I bought two types of needles--the curved and some straight. They both say they are for quilting and basting. I'm hoping I can get the curved to work as I think it might be a little easier. Unfortunately, I don't have any floor space big enought to lay everything out--that's why I'm on the table. I hope the curved needle will help me from having to "disturbing" the layers too much.

Thanks everyone for the advice and compliments (I'll definately try out that tape technique!)! The cats haven't been introduced to the quilt yet--I can just see one grabbing onto a thread and. . . well I don't want to think about it!

Thanks again!

I have found Upholsterers Needles that have a sort of flat spot right near the tip of the point that works well. I think I found them at Walmart. I have tried the curved needles, but really don't like them....it's a preference thing.
Tying quilts is a practice, practice,practice thing. Just gotta keep at it. I also use the DMZ floss. I use the whole strand (i know some that only use a couple threads) When I tie, I use DOUBLE thread and make a square knot on it. Seems to be the only knot that will stay. Have tried just plain tying it, but the knots come out.

I'm gonna use the crochet thread, doubled up. I found this video on youtube.com. Is this what everyone uses with good results?

I do a square knot. I don't wrap it twice each time, but that might make the knot more secure. Square knots don't slip like other knots seem to. But I do go ahead and clip the threads and tie them as I go, then trim to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch after the knot. I'm not sure that's better, it's just the way I started doing it and it's the way I feel most comfortable with.

We've used that with some of the cancer quilts we do. We use embroderie floss and do a square knot. Make certain to leave the ends long enough so that the knot doesn't undo...we used 1 inch. Also look at the requirements of the batting...you may not need to tie at each square intersection.

I'm using Warm & Natural--it says to leave up to 10". . . . I thought about doing every other square, but not sure yet. I'm leaning towards doing the whole thing. . . . but we'll see how it goes when I start. Maybe I'll start out doing every other square; if it doesn't bore me do death, I'll just fill in the gaps!

I won't be getting back to it until monday :( as it's a suprise for my better half and he's off on the weekends :)

I have always tied my quilts with yarn. It seems to work real well & doesn't come untied. the yarn seems to curl onto itself & doesn't leave long tails to get tangled.

It looks like you used a flannel sheet for your batting and this is where I ran into problems. I am hand quilting my granddaughters quilt and that sheet is tough! I really have to push on the needle. That makes for sore fingers! I too thought my needle was not sharp enough but now I know it's the sheet in the middle! Good luck! You can do it!

It's not flannel sheeting--it's "Warm & Natural Cotton Batting". It does look like a sheet though. I was a little. . . not disapointed, but suprised by it--it wasn't what I thought. I had something thicker in my mind--but I don't have experience with quilting, so I wasn'r really sure what to expect. My walmart didn't have batting, and our JoAnn's closed a couple years ago, so I had to buy online. . . .

Your quilt is beautiful!