Quilting: How to tie a quilt using the "Hidden Tie" or "International Stitch"

[@cekfraun]

Thank you for this video! And thanks to youtube for keeping it available ten years later! I just found it, and will definitely be using this method to finish some quilts that have been waiting to be quilted.

[@knitcreativity8019]

Thank you!!!!!!!! You just elevated the look of my quilt. It looks more professional.

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

Great!! Thank you!

[@neulesmeves]

I had never seen this technique before. It is great and you explain it so well. Tnak you for sharing.

[@PDizzleB]

I have been looking at videos ALL HOUR and this is the most FANTASTIC one I've seen!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!

[@dawnday937]

I am SO glad I saw your video. I've watched it numerous times & I'll finally be able to finish with my quilt tops. Having to pay to have it quilted is EXPENSIVE. Thank you SOOO much for putting this out there for us to see.

[@cherylwilliams42]

I feel the same! I have two ready to be quilted and even though the video I years old, it has helped me. Hers and Donna Jordan’s from Jordan’s Fabrics. I’ve been paying a fortune to long arm quilters.

[@Washiela]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I am so glad to have found your tutorial 💕.

[@lance3665]

I have never seen this before and I must try this. Thank you for sharing.

[@susieannei5641]

This is IT! I'm a newbie and I've just finished my first quilt (except the tying) after watching a ton of tutorials I was lucky enough to find this one and it's perfect for my quilt. Thank you!!

[@georgiacorey954]

Ty for sharing. I love this better than the string ends showing.

[@sipnsew2123]

Thank you! I've known others that use this and never did understand until now. You are the only one demonstrating and I really appreciate it!

[@lizryan6289]

I have been searching for the alternative to the "tie" method. This is so neat. Thanks.

[@meredithchildress8001]

I'm happy to learn this method of tacking as my granddaughter wouldn't like the old-fashioned quilt tying as much. Thanks for sharing!

[@lisafromkentucky2679]

That’s cool. I love tie quilting, but I’ve never seen this technique. Thanks for sharing 😇

[@suebean3873]

Oh, I’m not sure if I missed part of the video, it ended abruptly. Thank you for that demo, I’ve never seen that done like this before. I’ve always seen it done with the yarn sticking out. Thank you. I enjoyed it. I’d like to find the rest of this video perhaps. I’ll look around. :)

[@eileenfb1948]

I prefer this style to having the ends dangling, thank you for this video.

[@suebean3873]

Yes, I agree, I’ve never seen it done that way either. I like it a lot.

[@SoulsJourney]

I have never seen this before, but I love it. Thank you so much for showing this technique!

[@kathavalon19]

Great tutorial thanks. Very clear and well explained. I think anyone watching this will feel they could tackle the technique themselves. I am going to try this very soon!

[@marlasaupe9603]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I have a large quilt I need to get done in a hurry and I don't have anyone available to machine quilt it right now. Thanks so much for your video

[@elementalsound7186]

Really great! I've been searching all over for this.

[@widemouthfroggie]

This is a big help. Just about to finish my first quilt and this demonstration makes so much sense. Thank you.

[@LisaLisa-zl9vu]

Love the look. How do you secure the yarn once you've reached the end of the thread? knot it and bury it?

[@idahale2804]

Thank you for your video. I was able to use your technique on a quilt I made from squares cut from felted sweaters and embellished with needle felted flowers.

[@lindamanganello4881]

How did you finish the ends in the middle of a row?

[@annainspain5176]

Thanks for that clear explanation and video. I am making a crazy quilt and had thought of just lining it with backing fabric but with this technique I think I can add batting too.

[@lanyw9335]

That looks very nice. I want my stitches to show very little on the back and like the 'cleaner' look on the front. Thanks!

[@cherylwilliams42]

I just found this video and thank you. However, I wish you had stated the actual size of your needle. ‘Extra long’ is wide open to any length. Is it six, eight, twelve inches? Is it a darning, upholstery needle? I really like the stitch and will use it but there needs to be clarification on this. Thank you.

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

It's a 5.5" long doll sculpting needle. I'm sorry I didn't mention that information in the video. Happy quilting!

[@louanncarlson9120]

I'm doing this stitch on a quilt that had lots of small pieces and a secondary pattern. Machine quilting and or tieing it the traditional way would distract from the pattern. Thank you for doing this video. Do you get faster with time...its going to take me forever

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

The large quilts still take quite a bit of time, but if you work all the way around each edge and work toward the center (think of a square/rectangle spiral to the middle), each round gets faster and faster. You will get faster as you get more comfortable, but it's still time consuming.

[@melmack2003]

Excellent instructions....thank you!

[@AS-nk6ug]

How do you tie it off?

[@grandmajane2593]

I'm curious to see how you finished the edges of that quilt.

[@margaretrush5866]

Thanks for the video.Will have to try it. But, with no knot at the beginning, why doesn't the first stitch come out/unravel? and how do you end the stitching

[@kitssewingkit]

It's essentially a backstitch, which locks the thread in place! You could probably eventually pull out the thread from the outside if you're sitting there actively trying to, but it's not going to come out with normal wear & tear.

[@lindamanganello4881]

Hi, question. The 4 ft of floss has vome to an end in the middle of rows. What's next to finish the rows and the tail ends?

[@lindaklagstad9250]

Thank you - exactly what I was looking for.

[@itsjustme0123]

Love this technique! Thank you.

[@VeganDoris]

Very clever!

[@jannlady]

Many years ago I saw a small book/pamphlet that had different types of these hidden stitches. Does anyone know of that or know of other stitches? I have a baby quilt that I think has a square on one side and an X on the other side. Wish there was a way to make it a circle and X pairing for xoxoxo. Hmmm, may have to experiment. Is almost like crossing embroidery with hidden ties.

[@claudettemonty4077]

Is that solid with just one stitch true all the layers?? When it’s for a kid, we will wash the quilt often so I want to be sure that the thread won’t break.

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

Yes, the thread runs through the batting in the middle, with stitches about every 3-4 inches. It will endure many washings. This is how I tie all my baby blankets.

[@claudettemonty4077]

@@cowadoodlemoo4007 thanks for your answer so that’s the way I will do it.

[@janetbillington5612]

Where did you get that long of a needle? Glad you posted

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

The needle is 5 1/4" long and is called a "Doll Sculpting Needle". You can buy them at JoAnne Fabric.

[@cherylwilliams42]

@@cowadoodlemoo4007 thank you

[@cherylwilliams42]

I would think that you could use quilting thread also.

[@prrao97]

Hi, Thanks so much for putting up this tutorial! I’ve been searching for a way to do unobtrusive hand tying, cos I don’t like the idea of loose ties on the quilt. This is perfect! I do have a few questions though. 1) In your experience, does polyester batting or cotton batting drape better with this method, and is it easier to do this tying style with polyester batting since it’s puffier than cotton batting? 2) like another viewer commented, I’m a little concerned about the large grid of thread being made inside the quilt, and how that will affect the softness and drape of the quilt.. do you have any tips for how to keep that thread in the batting loose ? Thanks again!

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

I've only used polyester batting for this method, so I'm not sure about cotton. I've not had any problems with it draping, just make sure you don't pull the thread too tight and it should be fine.

[@prrao97]

@@cowadoodlemoo4007 it was really nice of you to answer so quickly, thank you!! I’m really excited to hand tie my upcoming quilt now! Thanks!

[@kandibarnard3879]

What brand and length of needle are you using?

[@maryannwiggins9611]

I love your video, great instruction. Do you think it would be ok if I did the tieing in the center panel of my quilt and machine quilted the borders. I'm a new to quilting and would appreciate your comment. Thanks

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

Whatever you are comfortable with would be fine. Personally, I like it to all be quilted/tied the same way. But I'm sure it would look great! This way of tying can go faster than machine quilting, once you get it down. I like the look of hand or machine quilting, but tying is a great option for a more casual quilt or for one that has large panels or for a quilt that has squares.

[@rebeccadees2300]

what kind, size needle is being used?

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

The needle is 5 1/4" long and is called a "Doll Sculpting Needle". You can buy them at JoAnne Fabric.

[@marthahill381]

When you come to the end of the thread how do you knot it? or do you?

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

I start in one corner and work my way around the quilt starting on the outside border and working in. When I get to a corner, I just turn the quilt and keep going along the border, once all the outside rows are done, I start working around the quilt on the second row around. When your thread runs out, do your last stitch and then feed the needle through the middle (batting) as if you were going to start another stitch, when you come up just clip the thread as close to the quilt as you can. If you have a little thread sticking out of the quilt from your tail, just pull up on the top of the quilt and it should fall into the middle part of you quilt and be hidden. You don't have to knot it because technically you did when you did your last stitch. Hope this makes sense. =)

[@MaybeLoveIsReal93]

How do you end the stitch? Thanks!

[@creativecompanion]

Perhaps at the edge of the quilt where it would be covered by the binding or hem.

[@maryannwiggins9611]

What do you do when you come to the end of the thread.

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

I start in one corner and work my way around the quilt starting on the outside border and working in. When I get to a corner, I just turn the quilt and keep going along the border, once all the outside rows are done, I start working around the quilt on the second row around. When your thread runs out, do your last stitch and then feed the needle through the middle (batting) as if you were going to start another stitch, when you come up just clip the thread as close to the quilt as you can. If you have a little thread sticking out of the quilt from your tail, just pull up on the top of the quilt and it should fall into the middle part of you quilt and be hidden. You don't have to knot it because technically you did when you did your last stitch. Hope this makes sense. =)

[@jmead471]

Thank you for explaining that.

[@Shirley_Anderson67]

How far spaced should the stitches be?

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

A few inches. The needle I'm using is 4".

[@dianakinneymcclendon2278]

How long is the needle?

[@suebean3873]

Look above at one of the replies. She does mention what kind and how long it is…

[@natashaheitzman6845]

Can you show us how to finish off the hidden tying?

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

Just take your yarn through the middle again (as if starting a new stitch) and bring your needle out of the quilt and cut your yarn super close to the quilt. Then it leaves a long tail inside the quilt batting. It's knotted because of your previous stitch. Hope this helps!

[@gailgreen5169]

Great video, thank you!

[@laurapuseman4495]

how do you finish when you are at the last stitch. Do you just leave the loose thread in side the quilt top?

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

When your thread runs out, do your last stitch and then feed the needle through the middle (batting) as if you were going to start another stitch, when you come up just clip the thread as close to the quilt as you can. If you have a little thread sticking out of the quilt from your tail, just pull up on the top of the quilt and it should fall into the middle part of you quilt and be hidden. You don't have to knot it because technically you did when you did your last stitch. Hope this makes sense. =)

[@MB-cj4zv]

What size needle is used for this. Can anyone tell me? Thank you.

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

It's a 5 1/4" Doll Sculpting needle 😊

[@MB-cj4zv]

@@cowadoodlemoo4007 , thank you. I’m definitely giving this a try.

[@annjones3186]

It seems it would not drape well having all of those long threads running inside the quilt between the anchor points of the quilt like a web.

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

It should drape fine as long as you don't pull the thread too tight in between stitches.

[@diwhat3715]

Cow A Doodle Moo how do you end it?

[@adellsinclair9236]

Would be easier to start on the inside the middle of quilt and end on edges??

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

I think either way would be fine. I just start on the outside and work in.

[@judyatchley-benson7005]

how long is your needle and where can I buy one like yours?

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

The needle is 5 1/4" long and is called a "Doll Sculpting Needle". You can buy them at JoAnne Fabric. Happy quilting!

[@lindahudson1309]

Would have been better on solid fabrics with contrasting colors. Like it but hard to see. Will have to watch again

[@patg8932]

What is that needle, I have never seen such a long needle.

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

It's a 5 1/4" "doll sculpting" needle.

[@jamiefrancisco8704]

how long is the needle you are using and where did you buy it?

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

The needle is 5 1/4" long and is called a "Doll Sculpting Needle". You can buy them at JoAnne Fabric. Happy quilting!

[@sonyasmithart9085]

I like that

[@dsekins]

Have you ever had the yarn/floss shrink and pucker the quilt after washing it?

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

I have not had that problem with the yarn/string. I have had the fabric shrink slightly after washing every so often (I do not pre-wash my fabric and that's probably why it happens occasionally). For tying, I usually use baby yarn (it's not quite as thick and is softer than regular yarn) or I use crochet thread.

[@hollydollydingo7652]

Do you have to have a long needle or is it doable with a regular one?

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

It's best with a long needle. I use a 5 1/4" Doll sculpting needle.

[@StrahaoftheRace]

Its obvious to me that you pull the thread invisibly THROUGH the quilt to the next stitch. Why on earth do people tie their quilts off with yarn????

[@suebean3873]

Just a different look and easier the other way with a tied knot. This is so nice though.

[@followurheart1112]

Hard to see but i can imagine and what a waste of yarn there has to be another way!! Lol. Nice vid thanku

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

It's doesn't waste much more than when you do the other type of tying and then cut the ties apart. This way just looks cleaner with the hidden ties, in my opinion.

[@CindyStreff]

How do you end?

[@cowadoodlemoo4007]

The tie provides the knot so when it is time to tie off, after you do your last stitch, just bring your needle up through the fabric and just cut the thread off close to the quilt. You can rub the fabric to tuck it into the batting. So your tail should be in the layer with the batting. Hope this makes sense. For some reason, I think my video recently got shortened.