Learn how to make the quilter’s knot with our simple step-by-step directions. Once you start knotting your thread with this method, you’ll knot all of your stitching threads this way! It is super easy and you have a consistent knot – over and over.
A quilter’s knot is a simple knot that is made to easily pull through one layer of fabric to hide it between the batting and quilt back.
How to Make a Quilter's Knot
A quilter's knot is a simple knot that is perfect for hand quilting. It is a small knot that is gently pulled from the top of the quilt to 'pop' through the backing fabric and lie hidden between the batting and backing fabric.
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With hand quilting, both the front and back of your quilt are visible, so you want to hide your knots by burying them between the batting and back fabric of your quilt. You want a simple and small knot that will easily 'pop' through the backing fabric with just a gentle pull. This is where the quilter's knot comes into action!
Even though this is called a 'quilter's knot', once I learned this method of knotting my thread, I use it for almost all of my hand stitching - from quilting to embroidery and garment making! It is a secure knot and super easy to make - once you get the hang of it.
Learn how to make this easy knot in our step-by-step photo tutorial.
Materials
- Thread
Tools
- Needle
Instructions
- Start with your needle threaded with a single strand of thread. I'm working on a Big Stitch Quilting project, so I am using a perle cotton. Take the end of the thread in your non-dominant hand and your needle in your dominate hand.
- Hold the threaded needle with your dominant hand between your thumb and forefinger.
- Take long part of your thread and tuck the end between your thumb and the needle. Then wrap the thread around your needle. If I'm stitching with quilters thread, I like to wrap three (3) times. If I'm using a thicker thread like I am here, I wrap one or two times. I'm using a #8 pearle cotton on this project. Here I'm showing two wraps, since one wrap is hard to see.
- Gently shift your thumb and forefinger to pinch the thread wraps over the needle. Then pull these wraps toward the eye of your needle.
- Continue to gently pull the loops down the thread to the end of your thread. When you get to the end, give it a good pull to form a knot.
- Here is a finished knot from two loops around your needle.
- Now you are ready to quilt! Here is the knot on the back of a big stitch quilt, ready to be pulled through the back and continue stitching!
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