Hi Farmer.

I haven't tied any of my quilts yet but do know that many folks recommend using a high loft polyester batting for tied quilts.  I don't think that's really necessary.  The combination of high loft and tying just gives a fluffier cover than typically gotten with quilting.  Any batting you happen to have on hand should be just fine as long as you follow the recommendations for tying/quilting distances.

Here's a simple explanation of  tying a quilt.   And here's one with a bit more detail.

One knot that is often recommended is the surgeons knot.  How to pictures here.

Martha

My Photos

Hi Farmer!

When I first read the title of this thread, I instantly thought of the No-Sew Calico Quilt on the Joann.com Projects. Then, after I read your message, I realized you didn't mean tying the whole quilt. Still, I think it is a fun and funky style quilt. The instructions have you using 15" squares and tying the knots in the center of each (using yarn). Don't know if that's of any help whatsoever. Martha's done a fabulous job already. But, I thought I'd go ahead and throw another pattern/idea out there into the mix.

Cheers!
Leigh-Anne

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Now there's a comfy looking quilt. 

But, you know, I can't help but have some serious reservations about the way it is made.  It seems to me that if a person cut a fringe of 3" long, quarter inch wide strips along the edges of a square of calico they would very soon have a  smaller square with 3" long strings hanging off of it.  Even if the fringe lasted long enough to do the tying I think it might be pretty unattractive after the washing step.

Then there is the matter of placing ties just at the center of each square.  That would make them 9 - 10 inches apart (the original 15" minus 2 x 3" fringe plus a little added space taken up by the knots).  Unless there is a specific fusible batting that can be tied at that spacing (3" - 6" is more typical)  I would expect the batting to wind up as a lumpy mess after washing.

I really don't mean to be negative about this project.  It is a cute looking quilt.  I think the person who designed it probably was thinking of making a hybrid of the popular no-sew fleece quilts and the rag quilts that many people enjoy making and using.

If anyone who reads this has actually made one following the directions and been pleased with the result I will be very happy to admit I am completely wrong about this.

Martha

My Photos

I belong to a group of  older women at my church who make lap quilts for nursing homes. We make simple patchwork with squares and tie with yarn. We use donated fabrics and yarn so don't have a lot of choice when it comes to the type of yarn. We find that sport weight used double is easier to pull through the fabric than using worsted weight and gives a nice decorative effect. Embroidery floss can be used as well. We also found that using a "rubber finger" found in Office supply stores can help with getting a good grip on the needle.

My research told me that knots should be no farther than 4" apart to hold the batting secure. Usually your batting packaging will tell you how close to make the knots or quilting stitches.

The correct way to make the knot is to go through the fabric from top to bottom and back up, then to go through and up again right next to the first stitch, then tie off with a square knot. With the double stitch, the yarn or thread is secure even if the know should come untied.

Several years ago I made quick quilts for my daughters with double batting and tied all over with embroidery floss (all 6 strands). It worked very well and the ties held up through many washings

Cyndi