Need help with Tying a Quilt
 

I've made a 'twister' quilt top using the 3 1/2 inch template, making each square 3 inches when sewn together. I'm very proud of my piecing, and it's my intent to enter it into the fall fair. It would be far beyond my skills to hand quilt around each pinwheel, and I've decided to tie this quilt using crochet cotton. I'm attempting to put an 'X' in the centre of each pinwheel and put the knot on the back. Although my X's look fine on the top, the threads are way out of line on the back. Some of the back stitches are 1/8 inch long, and others look more like 1/2 inch. Is there a tip anyone can offer me? I've worked hard at bringing my needle up straight, but obviously I'm not doing a good job. I even found a large button and used it so my needle would come up straight through the holes of the button, I wound up sewing the thing to my quilt. Ha!
If I Pin it while it's on the frame, then remove it from the frame, and attempt to tie it on my lap would I have more success? Any help anyone can offer will be REALLY appreciated.

MrsBeasley

Likely the back won't be seen in the show so can you just accept the way you've done it and go on?
Have you hand basted (or pin basted) the quilt before you started to tie it? If you have, then using a hoop on your lap -- where you can turn the hoop to see how well you've drawn the needle to the back side -- might help.
And as always, practice makes perfect.
Good luck with your entry!

Jan in VA

I made a pinwheel quilt for my sister. I did do FMQ on it, but to decorate it, I put a button in the center of each pinwheel. They looked great. You could do that instead of tying it. I was worried they wouldn't be comfortable, but Sister says she doesn't notice them.
Just an idea.

Suze

is the quilt all basted together? you may need to add more basting- if it is not enough to hold everything evenly- are you trying to tie it in a quilt frame? can you see underneith as you stitch your ties? ---if the X's look good i would think once the ties are tied being (off) a little bit will not really be very noticable....maybe show us pics of the problem...and don't be too hard on yourself---none of us are perfect.

For me it helps to have a pin at exactly the point where I tie. I remove it after the insertions are made, but before the knot. The pin keeps the layers lined up for me.
Dayle