Tutorial: Chenille-backed patchwork blanket. Part 4: Tying your blanket
To add ties to your blanket you will need some thread, a needle, and scissors. I always use pearle (perle? pearl?) cotton thread (Joann's, etc.) but I've seen quilts tied with regular embroidery floss, yarn, etc. I like to choose the color to match the chenille so it doesn't show on the back. The needle just needs to have a large enough hole to put your thread through -- some sort of embroidery needle I guess (I don't remember what kind I use - how's that for a help!)
Cut a long piece of thread - so you can take a lot of stitches at once. If it is a big throw quilt I cut enough to tie a whole row at a time.
I like to put my ties on the seams because they are less noticeable. I like to straddle the seam with my stitch and I try to catch the seam allowance too. Take a stitch that is 1/4 to 3/8" long. (Mine always end up at least 3/8" long cause the needle is thicker I guess.) Make sure to leave a 3-4 inch tail.
***NOW - take a backstitch here - another stitch going in and coming up the same place.
Now, go on to the next place you want a tie. Don't cut your thread. You are just going do the same thing as you did above for the next stitch.
(I usually place my ties anywhere from 4 to 6 inches apart - depending on the design. It isn't critical with this type of blanket because you aren't trying to hold any batting in place -- the ties just function to keep the back and front together.)
Before pulling your thread snug on the second tie, you will probably want to ensure that you leave a little slack in the thread between the stitches as shown above. This will allow you to have more thread to hold on to when you go to tie the knots, making it much more comfortable. You'll get a feel for how much you need.
Go ahead and repeat this process for the whole row of ties -- or for as long as your piece of thread lasts.
Now, make a cut in the thread equidistant between each tie location.
Use a square knot to secure your tie. This knot is -- Right over Left and tie; Left over Right and tie. The trick is that the original "Right" becomes the 2nd "Left." Use the link if you don't get it. Or, ask a boy/girl scout.
Once your knot is tied, trim your thread to the desired length. I usually aim for about 1/2 inch long.
Repeat the procedures above for all your ties.
That's it. (Although truthfully I do one more thing. I always wash my blankets/quilts at this stage to do a durability check, especially if I am giving them away.)
You are done. Congratulations. See, it wasn't so hard!
Now, it is time to put the dolly to bed -- or in Bea's case, the baby bat.
Hope this tutorial helps you make a great blanket. If you do make one and feature it on your blog, please include a link in the comments section here. I'd love to see it!
Thanks for the tutorial. Next time I make make a blanket I'm going to use some of your tips.
Posted by: beki | October 12, 2006 at 09:55 AM
Great tips! You have me itching to make one of these for my granddaughter.
Posted by: Dawn | October 12, 2006 at 09:58 AM
Hey -- I was a Girl Scout and I never learned a square knot.
Posted by: capello | October 12, 2006 at 10:01 AM
what a wonderful tutorial!! you are very talented!
Posted by: LauraJ | October 12, 2006 at 10:22 AM
Such a thorough tutorial. I've been thinking about doing a quilt for years and have been too intimidated to try it. :) But I really think I can do this! Thank you.
Love your blog too. Will surely visit again.
Posted by: deb | October 12, 2006 at 12:56 PM
Did not know that. Good stuff again. Thanks Amy. ;-)
Posted by: Angela | October 12, 2006 at 01:25 PM
Uh-oh, I have not been doing my ties like that, perhaps this is my problem. Sigh, why do I always have to learn the hard way? I have loved this tutorial, you did an excellent job explaining and photographing the steps.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 12, 2006 at 03:24 PM
I have found your tutorial so helpful. Your instructions have been clear, and the photos, are great. Thanks so much. The blanket is so sweet.
Posted by: Clare | October 12, 2006 at 03:41 PM
I picked up some chenile on our last summer trip and would love to try this out. Your tutuorial and photos are perfect. But the bat was one of the sweetest things I've seen.
Posted by: Selena | October 12, 2006 at 03:50 PM
You are wonderful to always create these little tutorials!! I love them! I just wanted to know what those ties at the end are for. Can the blanket be ok without them?
Posted by: Susanna | October 12, 2006 at 07:21 PM
Susanna - Yes, the blanket will still function without ties. Small doll or baby blankets in particular would probably be ok with ties at all. As you use and wash the blankets though, the front and back will tend to "billow" away from each other and just won't lay as flat and nice. The ties just function to hold the front and back together.
Posted by: Amy | October 13, 2006 at 04:16 PM
Well, you may think I don't need the tutorial, but you know what? I've never done a tied quilt, so see? Learned something new!
The fact still remains that you do know how to do a GREAT tutorial...you would make an EXCELLENT instructor for beginning quilters...it just seems like you have a lot of patience, and you wouldn't get too ticked off over people like me going, "Wait! Wait! Slow down! I'm still at the rotary cutting part!". LOL!
Posted by: Lauri | October 13, 2006 at 08:05 PM
GREAT JOB on the tutorial!!!
Posted by: Dale Anne | October 13, 2006 at 11:35 PM
This is a terrific tutorial and the fabrics are adorable. So happy that little bat will sleep well!
Posted by: Hedgehog | October 14, 2006 at 02:54 AM
very nice blog and tutorial I found it today through whipup. great job
Sunshine
http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com
Posted by: sunshine | October 14, 2006 at 10:34 AM
I've just stumbled across your tutorials and wanted to say thank you. I purchased a bag full of pre-cut quilt pieces at a thrift sale and have been itching to do something with them. If only the kind person who did the cutting had left a map for me LOL Really inspirational stuff - THANK YOU :-)
Posted by: Sezz | October 14, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Great tutorial! Can't wait to use it!
Posted by: Melissa | October 16, 2006 at 12:23 PM
um...BLESS YOUR HEART for putting up this tutorial! I think I might use it too!
Posted by: rebekka | October 17, 2006 at 03:29 PM
Thank you thank you thank for the wonderful tutorial. I wanted to make a little quilt for my neice or nephew (coming this Christmas!) and I was totally at a loss of where to begin. Your tutorial not only had a great and simple pattern, but I would have never thought of using chenille for the backing! Very inspiring.
Posted by: Joda | October 29, 2006 at 09:29 PM
Hi,
I just found your tutorial on chenille-backed quilts -- absolutely great tutorial! I make chenille-backed quilts except I machine quilt them and bind them... 'Love your blog!
Posted by: Beata | January 18, 2007 at 02:06 AM
Thank you soooo much! I searched so long for a clear step-by-step photo tutorial to start with patch working. I finally found it in your blog. Tomorrow I'll start with my first piece
Yvonne (Amsterdam)
Posted by: Yvonne | April 08, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Thanks for the great tutorial, the quilt is perfectly devine!
Posted by: Christie | May 01, 2007 at 12:11 AM
I couldn't read this tutorial without commenting on how great it is. As a beginner, I really appreciate generous people like you sharing your knowledge. Thanks so much.
Posted by: elsa | June 03, 2007 at 06:38 PM
Thank you Amy! I used your tutorial this weekend for a gift.
Posted by: autum | September 19, 2007 at 05:59 PM
Thank for the tutorial. My friend asked me to make her a quilt for her (baby due in March), so this looks easy enough and from the looks of your tutorial, only took you 4 days to make.
Posted by: Michela | December 02, 2007 at 08:35 AM