World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of May 15, 2000:
Our question this week comes from Nicole
When you tie a quilt, do you leave the ends of the tie on the front or back
of a quilt? Also, can you tie a quilt for the time being and later quilt
it when you have time?
Susan :
The quilts I've seen have the ends on the front, but (this should be underlined) it's YOUR quilt and you can do it any way you want.
lynnied :
When I tie a quilt, I generally have the ties on the front.
I choose a color that will either blend with the background, or
choose one of the colors in the quilt. There is also a technique
that the ends go inside of the quilt and you do not need to cut the
string/thread. As for the last part of your question I do not have a answer.
Good Luck, hope this helps Lynnied
dot mason :
Regarding Feb 21 question on how to take the bumps out of a green cutting mat. Put the mat between two peices of glass and tape the edges. I used storm door windows and then put out side on a very hot sunny day. Leave it there for several days if necessary. It worked great for me.
Gerri :
I agree with Kay and JT; I USUALLY tie on the top, but I have also had ties on the bottom. I started out always using yarn, but as my piecing got more detailed I felt the yarn detracted from the quilt, so I started using crochet thread or 6 strand embroidery floss. Both have been satisfactory, even with washing. I have also used fine crochet cotton to do the "quick" stitch when I really wanted it quilted, but didn't have a lot of time. (One quilt in particular was for my husband, and it gave it a more casual look that seemed more masculine.) I DO have a friend who routinely ties and then goes back and quilts when she has time; don't know whether she unbinds, but I do know she uses a lap frame so that her quilting is portable.
Ethel :
The ends are on the top of the quilt. Just pin, don't tie if you are going to quilt at a later time. Don't wait too long. Pins can rust. (Safety pins are best and in brass)
Elena :
My mother and I always tie our quilts. We usually leave them on the front. However, back ties would work if ties would detract from the design. It is a matter of preference, not necessity.
Kay :
I learned to tie quilts from my grandmother, before I learned to quilt them. Our family has always used yarn and left the ends of the ties on the front side. I have sometimes left them on the back side, if I didn't want to distract from the design. I'm not sure about quilting it after you tied it - seems like it might work if you didn't wash it between . You would probably have to remove the binding, though.
JT :
When I tie a quilt, I always use Perle cotton in a coordinating color and I like to leave the ties on the front - cut short (about 1" or less). I do have a quilt (meant for a baby) that the ties are on the back and short pieces of satin ribbon are tied through the front into little bows. As far as quilting it later......I think that you would have to un-sew the binding, un-do the ties and re-baste it before quilting. IMHO, I would do one or the other. If you just want to get it done, then tie it. Go on to make another quilt and quilt THAT one!
World Wide Quilting Page * Question of the Week