I am making what I thought would be simple quilts for my nephew's twins due in March. They have been a nightmare from the start. I used several different flannels to make 4-patch blocks and every other block is soft and bumpy stuff that I thought would add nice texture. Well, after pressing my seams I found that the heat ironed out the bumps. I was so bummed! The 2nd quilt did not get any pressing. The soft bumpy stuff is very stretchy so the blocks are misshapen. I decided to stitch the quilts together and turn them inside out. That was a total disaster with all the stretching so I ripped that all out. Now I have them sandwiched and I am going to tie them because quilting would be impossible. So, here's my question: Do I tie them first and bind after or bind first and tie after?

I have not tied a quilt before, but I would imagine tying it and then binding it would be best.

I would tie, then bind. Make sure you start tying from the center and work your way out to the edges. Good luck.

Tie and then bind :D:D:D

Thanks, I will tie first and then bind!

Sorry for all the frustration. Why does it always happen when we think something will work up 'quickly', everything goes wrong? I'm sure the babies will love the quilts, and so will their parents! My daughter had twins, and needed all the quilts she could get. I agree, tie, then bind. Good luck, think about the sweet little babies snuggled under your quilts!

I have tied my quilts. pin carefully, start tying in the middle.

You want to tie first, then bind.

when you are done wash and dry it, the bumpies should bump back out!

I've tied quilts since I was a little girl so for what it's worth here's what I do.

First of all I sandwich and pin. I use colored tape and mark my ruler with at L at either 2 1/2 or 3 or 3 1/2" never any bigger. I cut lengths of yarn or thread about 6" longer than the width of my blanket and using my marked ruler as a guide, I start at one corner and go across. Then I rethread my needle and once again using my ruler as a guide I go across. I repeat this until I get to the other end, taking the pins out as I go. This will give your ties an nice evenly spaced look. Then I sew my binding on. After that I cut the strings, then knot and trim them. The last thing I do is to hand stitch the back of the binding down. Here's a picture of one I did for my brother. The reason I bind before actually knotting the quilt is because the knotting can somtimes cause a little puckering which is a good look but not so helpful when trying to bind the edges. So, Sandwich, Stitch, Bind, then Tie.

Thanks for the tutorial, Raptureready - great explanation on how to tie - I have a homespun top done and want to tie it instead of quilt - will use your directions. thanks!

I tie then bind, just like if I were quilting it.

What a pretty quilt Rapture ready!

Most flannels needs to be washed 3 to 4 times before making a block so it will not stretch. You can fuse a light weight interface on the back to help with any additiona stretching. The square knot is the most common used type of knot for tying quilts but I use a wrap around the thread shank method so it does not untie after washing. Crochet thread or pearl cotton work the best. I tied my first baby quilt in 1975 and my daughter still has it after thousands of washings. Moosegirl

HI, was the bumpy sq's minky? If so after washed they should return.
You might want to use a feather weight iron on interfacing next time to control the stretching.
ConnieF

Oh and yes tie first then bind. And do start from the middle out in each direction, and making sure your backing is bigger that the pieced top.

I have done both, but find it easier to tie first so you can smooth out all the wrinkles before binding. Good Luck! I personally like tied quilts!

The quilts are tied! I took them to my quilting group this morning and the girls helped me tie them. Instead of binding, I am going to wrap the minky backing to the front and topstitch. I'll post pics after they are finished. Thanks for all the helpful info!

I'm so happy to have these finished. I even finished the receiving blankets that I will use as wrapping paper.
Found out from my LQS that if you use good minky from a QS that the bumps won't iron out. Jo-Ann's does not carry the good stuff, as I found out, but how much do you want to spend on gifts.