How to Hand Tie a Blue Jean Quilt: A Simple Finishing Method for Quilters

If you have been working along on the Blue Jean Quilt, you have probably reached the moment every quilter loves and dreads at the same time. The top is done, the layers are basted, and now you have to decide how to finish it.

Denim is heavy. It is thick at the seams, it can be tricky to feed through a machine, and a quilt made from old jeans is bulkier than most. This is exactly why hand tying is such a good fit for a blue jean quilt. You do not need a longarm, you do not need to wrestle all that weight under a sewing machine, and you end up with a finish that suits the casual, sturdy feel of denim.

Tying is also one of the friendliest ways to finish a quilt if you are newer to the process. It is forgiving, it goes quickly, and it is a lovely project to do at the kitchen table over a few evenings.

Here is how to do it.

Why tie a denim quilt instead of quilting it

A few reasons tying works so well for jean quilts:

 

• • Denim adds bulk, especially where seams overlap. Tying lets you secure the layers without forcing thick fabric through a machine.

• • The look matches the project. A tied finish feels relaxed and homey, which suits a quilt made from worn jeans.

• • It holds up to use. These quilts get loved hard, and ties keep the layers together through plenty of washing.

A quick note on batting. Denim is already heavy, so many quilters choose a thinner batting, a layer of flannel, or even skip the batting and back the quilt with a soft fabric instead. Whatever you choose, tying works with all of these.

What you will need

 

• • A basted quilt, layered and held together with pins or basting spray

• • Your choice of: Perle cotton (size 5 or 8), yarn size 4 medium weight, or embroidery floss using all six strands

• • A large eye needle that can pass through denim. A chenille needle, darning needle, or sashiko needle all work well

• • Sharp scissors

• • A ruler or a piece of cardboard cut to your spacing distance, to keep your ties even

• • Needle gripper for your finger

A short word on thread choice. Perle cotton is a favorite because it is sturdy and gives a tidy little knot. Embroidery floss works beautifully and comes in every color you can imagine, which is fun against denim. Yarn gives a softer, fuller tie if you like that look.

How to hand tie your quilt, step by step

1. Plan your spacing. Decide how far apart your ties will sit. For most quilts, four to six inches apart works well. Check your batting label too, since some battings need ties or quilting at a minimum distance to stay in place. Mark your spots lightly, or use the corners of your blocks as a built in guide.

2. Thread your needle. Cut a long length of thread and thread the needle, but do not knot the end. You will be making individual ties, so leave the thread loose and long.

3. Take your first stitch. Push the needle straight down through all the layers, then bring it back up about a quarter inch away. Pull the thread through, leaving a tail of a few inches on top.

4. Tie a square knot. Tie the two tails together in a square knot. The easy way to remember it is left over right, then right over left. A square knot lies flat and will not slip loose. Pull it snug so it holds the layers firmly without puckering the fabric.

5. Trim the tails. Cut the tails to your preferred length. Anywhere from a half inch to an inch is common. Longer tails give a soft, fringed look, while shorter ones look neat and tidy.

6. Repeat across the quilt. Work in a steady pattern across the whole quilt so the layers stay even. Many quilters like to start in the center and work outward, which helps keep everything smooth.

A few tips that make it easier

 

• • If denim is hard on your fingers, a thimble or a pair of needle nose pliers can help pull the needle through thick spots.

• • Tie on the front if you want the ties to show as a design feature, or tie on the back if you prefer them hidden.

• • Keep your tension consistent. Pulling some knots tight and leaving others loose will show once the quilt is washed.

• • Work in good light and take breaks. Tying is meant to be a calm, enjoyable part of the process.

You are almost finished

Once your ties are in, all that is left is binding, and your Blue Jean Quilt is done. Hand tying is one of those skills that feels a little uncertain the first time and completely natural by the time you finish your first quilt. It is a method worth keeping in your toolbox for any heavy or chunky quilt down the road.

OTHER WAYS TO FINISH YOUR QUILTS

If you enjoyed this, you’ll love these other ways to finish your quilts.

 

• • 3 Ways to Finish Your Quilt by Hand

• • How To Use Bias Binding

• • How To Attach Binding To a Quilt