Quilting question

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I am (trying) to teach myself to hand quilt. This is something I've always wanted to do but have never had the time for. I'm doing ok except I can't get the hang of making the knot at the end and hiding it inside the quilt. I try following the directions my book gives but still can't get it! I can do fine starting out and "popping" the knot inside but just can't seem to get the end knot. HELP PLEASE!!! Kelly, the celtic quilts sound neat. Maybe if I ever get this quilt done, I'll try that! Are they hand quilted or machine quilted?

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002

Answers

I am also a self taught quilter. Yep, that part was hard for me to do also. I kept pulling it right through.

Let me see if I can explain how I make a knot. Bear with me because I have never thought about how I actually do it before! Ok, I only use one hand and start the knot like you normally would do to make a loop. Then I kind of just wad it up and roll it around and then pull the roll of thread all the way to the bottom. One handed instant knot! A hint here: if you knot is too small it will go right through the other side. You don't need a big knot, but if it is going right through the knot is not big enough.

Then to pull it into the middle I take the stitch as normal and then with the other hand pull it through carefully and slowly until it "pops" (you will hear a pop sound). STOP...don't pull any further..when you hear that pop you will already be in the center.

Best of luck!

-- Karen (mountains_mama@hotmail.com), February 07, 2002.


Hold the needle in same position as you would for sewing. Wind the thread around the needle 3 or 4 times with left hand. Hold thread on needle between left hand thumb and forefinger, pull needle thru thread still holding with left hand until it reaches the end. A nice small knot.

Put insert needle into fabric about 1/2" before first stitch, pull needle up and out at first stitch starting point. Good idea to go deep enough to have thread in part of the batting. Gently pull knot thru top fabric with a quick, short jerk. Too hard a jerk and the thread will come back out.

I am right handed so if you are left handed do same looking in mirror in order to follow the above instructions.

Marie

-- Marie (prettyhollow@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002.


Barb-I suppose you could machine quilt the Celtic quilts, I'm kind of fussy with that-if Ive spent all that time getting the applique just right, I'm going to hand quilt it-besides I really enjoy hand quilting, plus the design I'm working on now incorperates hand quilting. And most of these pieces are small-right now I'm doing a small wall hanging and collecting fabric/ideas for a purse. I have a lot of trouble with those knots too, I finally got it but they are tricky-I don't care what the books say! Often I will just make a knot by back stitching two or three tiny stitches in the "ditch" between two patches or seams, then pushing your needle under the fabric and poking it up where you want to begin your quilting, I've never had the qulting to pull lose. Are you learning from a book? I believe Fons and Porter use that kind of knot. I like thier "Quilter's Complete Guide" There's a Celtic True Lovers Knot block on page 182 to give you an idea about Celtic Work.

-- Kelly (KY) (Homearts2002@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002.

Kelly, yes, I'm using a book - "learn to do handquilting in just one day" (ha!) by Nancy Brenan Daniel. I bought this book several years ago and don't even remember where I got it. I am enjoying the hand quilting and I believe that is mostly what I will do from now on instead of machine quilting. I may look for the book you mentioned. I just came from our little library looking for a quilting book and all I could find was quilt patterns, machine quilting and the like, nothing on hand quilting. If I can just get those darn knots perfected! Everyones ideas should help. Thanks!

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002.

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