Jenni :
Yes, I've heard of it and done it... and yes, it has it's place! It is used instead of tying on quilts that will be sent all over the world because there are people who must wash them in rivers on cement slabs for wash boards. Tied quilts come untied in a washing or two. But lo and behold, they are so cute done this way that it has become quite popular for bedding needed in a hurry or not worthy of hand quilting.
You use a pearl cotton or something similar, just not a thin quilting thread. You may use single or double strand. Go the short way across the quilt because you must have a piece of pearl cotton that will reach all the way across the quilt. All beginnings and ends of the thread should be on the edges to be caught in the binding for super durability!
You must also use a needle that is long enough to reach from one stitch to the next, doll needles are perfect, some are 6 or so inches long!
Begin at the edge and travel your needle through the batting and come up through the top on the far side of where the stitch is to be. Far side meaning away from the edge that you just began at.
Pull all the thread through being sure to leave either the knot or the tail at the edge to be caught in the binding. And yes, depending on the size of the quilt, we are talking about alot of thread! continued...
I have to do this in pieces (hee hee) because I get kicked of the net regularly!
OK... now that you are on the top, make a 1/2 inch stitch, by going through to the back of the quilt 1/2" from where you came up, going back toward the edge you started from.
Come up to the top again in the same spot you came up at first.
Go back down where you went down a second ago but this time only go into the batting, not through to the back! Travel through the batting to where you would like the next stitch to be and repeat the process!
It should look like a double thread on the top and a single thread on the backing.
Continue in this manner to the other side of the quilt, traveling through the batting between each stitch and to the edge after the last stitch.
This method produces a very durable, washable, and kid proof tied quilt with no ties to tickle your face or to come untied!
It is kind of fun to do to. You can use this method of traveling but use other stitches like daisey's and crows feet or any other stitch of interest, but the international stitch is the one I have explained.
Today was my first visit to this sight, I'm thrilled to have found you all!
Good Luck! Jenni
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