Fabric overlay for tying quilts

Question

We see that there was a question about the Quilters Companion--a fabric overlay with holes in it to mark where to tie quilts. We are looking for the same product and wondering if anyone found this product.

Thanks for any help!

Reply

I have still not been able to locate this quilting notion! Nuts!

So I've been pondering a couple of alternatives. Let me know what you think.

The idea behind the notion...

This template makes marking the postion of the ties simple. Just mark through the holes. When have marked all of them in the template, reposition the template using a previous set of marks as registration guidelines.

So simple!

3 Easy Alternatives...

The purpose is to have uniform ties without dragging out all sorts of rulers, right?

So why not use a material that already is marked with a grid—then there's no measuring?

The three possibilities that come to mind are:

• Gingham: The checkered 'pattern' is woven in the threads so the spacing is uniform. It's easy to cut the appropriate spaces with a scissor. Then just layer over your quilt sandwich and mark with chalk. Move as needed, using previous markings as registration marks.
  
  Store it folded away in a marked ziplock bag for the next time you need to mark your ties.




• Pellon Quilter's Grid: This is a fusible, non-woven, 45 inch wide material with a premarked 1" grid. Cut your placement spots with a scissor and use just like the gingham.
  
  I suggest marking it with "DO NOT IRON" to prevent an accident.
  
  Your local quilt store should probably have some on hand, this was a popular product for use with water color quilts from a few years back.




• Pellon Tru-Grid: This is, in my mind, the best alternative, but may require a trip to a sewing store to find it.
  
  This is a 45 inch wide, non-fusible material used for duplicating or drafting patterns. With the grid already marked, you just need to just where you want the ties to appear.
  
  Because it's not a fusible like the Quilter's Grid, there's one less thing that can accidentally go wrong.

Unless you are able to locate a Quilters Companion, I believe any of these three suggestions are viable alternatives. They are all reusable, can be pinned in place to minimize shifting and they all eliminate the need for a lot of measuring.

Readers, if you have suggestions, please do add them using the 'comment' link just below.

Piecefully,

Julie Baird
Editor