How to Make Tied Quilts and Homemade Quilting Frames

Enlarge Image Image Gallery You can use colorful balls of yarn or crochet cotton for tying. PHOTO: FOTOLIA/GMF1000I

Blankets and quilts are expensive at the store, so why not make your own? Learn how to make tied quilts for warm and unique additions to your home. Homemade quilting frames are easy to make. There's a plan for a beginning quilter or, if you've been quilting awhile, the sturdier quilting frame would serve you best.

Ever admire the beauty of a traditional homemade quilt . . . and then shudder at the thought of all the stitches that hold the masterpiece together? Well, there's a simpler alternative: tying. You can tie a frayed blanket between layers of cotton or gingham print in a fraction of the time you'd spend on conventional quilting. All you need is a simple frame (see the instructions with this article), a few inexpensive materials and the barest number of spare hours.

Quilt Sizes

Baby quilts are approximately 3' X 5' (standard crib size) and, when tied, can be made in an afternoon. Two-yard throws — afghan-size car blankets or stadium robes — are 4' X 6' and also take only a few hours. They get their name because the quilt top and backing each requires two yards of 45" fabric.

A quilt that measures 7' X 9' hangs to the floor on a twin bed and will fit a full-size bed as a comforter (a cover that usually lies on the mattress only and is supplemented with a dust ruffle to conceal the box springs). A quilt (8' X 9') that completely covers a full-size bed will serve as a comforter on a king-size or large water bed.

Materials

The backing or underside of a tied quilt should be a closely woven, non-slippery fabric. (Covers backed with nylon, satin, rayon and some polyesters tend to slide off the bed.) Cottons, flannels and sheets are all good materials for this purpose. I prefer flannel myself: It's durable and warm, won't slip and feels good against the skin. Like all the makings for my quilts, it's also washable.

Filler or batting may consist of an old blanket (two if they're thin). Otherwise use cotton or polyester quilt batting, which is available at most yard goods stores or from Sears.

The quilt top can be scraps put together as gay patchwork, or you can use cotton prints, flannel, gingham or a colorful sheet Be sure to preshrink both the top and backing before "putting up" the quilt.

How to Stretch the Quilt on the Frame

At this point — before you go any farther — make sure that the quilt's top and backing are the same size. Use a straight pin to mark the center of each edge.

The backing goes on your frame first, with the center points of its edges matched to the center points marked on the boards and pinned to the frame's cloth covering. Then, working from the center to the ends of each side, continue to pin the fabric to the stretcher.