World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of November 24, 1997:
Our question this week comes from Kim Wiggins
What is the most durable method for baby quilts, tying or quilting?
Michelle from Delta B.C. Canada :
I've made about seven baby quilts for my friends, and I think machine quilting is the most durable. Baby quilts seem to be washed more often, and I find they last longer when quilted.
Pat :
Quilts my mother quilted for me 55 years ago are still in good shape, having been used for 6 babies and innumerable dollies!
Sissie :
I have used both and I prefer quilting
For me the quilt just seems to last
longer.
Carol Parente :
I have a quilt that was made for my 24 yr old son. It was tied. We used it as a floor blanket and it got lots of washing! I have since used it for nephews and now grandchildren.
Patricia Randolph :
Quilting is the best method...when is a quilt not a quilt...when it is tied!
Terri Mozingo :
I have had good luck with hand quilting baby quilts with silk or 100% cotton thread. For an infant I usually keep the amount of quilting to a minimum and use the cotton thread. For a toddler I tend to use silk thread because of it's durability.
carolyn mcKnight :
It depends on whether you are willing to hand-wash the quilt. Tying has served me well, but I think that the combination of tying the center and quilting the border lasts best and looks great.
Nikki in Orlando :
I would say machine quilting would be
the best for baby quilts. And I would
be sure to use regular thread, not the
clear thread that could break, a piece
come off and the baby swallow it or a
piece break, stick up and punch in the
eye. Baby quilts, if used as a baby
wants will get dragged, chewed, spit on,
and all that good stuff and tying will
be less likely to endure, IMHO.
Phyllis Sanfilippo :
I think quilting, but not with the monfilament thread, since any ends could poke. Tying I think would come apart too easily since baby quilts ae probably washed often
s garrant :
most definitely, quilting and if you make the quilt beautiful enough to wanted to be used a lot, machine quilting really stands up to machine washing.
Jackie Robinson :
Oh, quilting, without a doubt. The problem with tying a baby quilt is all those loose pieces the little one can break off or chew or swallow. Quilting is more secure, and certainly safer.
Vonda Fary :
I find that machine quilting baby quilts works best, because if they are to be used, they will be washed alot. Also, I make sure to use bonded batting because it holds up the best. I have, however, hand tied a few baby quilts as well, but if you do, just make sure to use the strongest batting possible. For hand tying I like to use Polyfil Extra Loft or High Loft bonded batting.
Janice Juchems :
I'd say machine quilting. It stands up to repeated washings well. Hand quilting is beautiful but not as durable. Ties can come loose.
jana w. :
I like to machine quilt, they seem to hold up very well. For a while I did a lot of these, and as long as I back stiched I have not had any problems.
IVALYNN :
I would say that quitling is the most effective way to make a baby quilt most durable. Tying - the bat has a chance to slip and bunch while quilting it - it will stay in place. A tied baby quilt is fluffier, but if durability is what you are looking for - they just get softer and better with each washing when they are quilted
Maria :
I like to tie my quilts, but I use embroidery floss, not yarn.
Yarn is easily shredded by little fingers. I cut my ties short,
about 1/2 to 1 inch and they are virtually indestructable.
Anthony :
I think tying is more durable. At least less likely to come undone. I always worry about tiny fingers picking the stitches out. I especially wouldn't hand quilt a baby quilt. The threads are just too easy to pick out. Thankfully, tying is coming back into vouge. It really is a neat finish, especially for baby and toddler quilts. It's also allows you to use a higher loft batting, which they love. My favorite way is to machine tie. Just set your machine to zizzag and stitch in place for 5 to 6 stitches; same as for applying a button. Clip your thread tails close to the stitching and you're done. One modification s to stitch over yarn, then tie the yarn into a secure knot. If you clip the yarn tails to an inch or so, they aren't so attractive to little chewers. If you have an electronic machine, just pick a decorative stitch with repeat coverage. I have a satin stitch heart (for little girls) and a satin stitch circle (little boys) on my machine. They work perfectly.
Stephanie :
Quilting lasts longer. Toddler babies like to pull up the yarn and eat it. It's particularly an enjoyable task for an older sibling (2 years old) to pull out little 1 year old brother's ties by any form of force necessary.
World Wide Quilting Page * Question of the Week