I thought I might give quilt tying a try. What type of thread/floss do you use and how do you match colors or do you tie in a neutral color? Any tutes would be helpful.

I used Perle Cotton when I tied mine, tied in square knots, left about 3/4 ends( after trimming). I used a color that matched the main color in my quilt. It comes in lots of colors. I found it strong enough for tying , it has a slight sheen and held up well to washing in the machine. Hope that helps.

My grandmother always used yarn and her quilts have lasted 20 years or longer and that is with lots of washing.

Depending on the quilt, I use Perle Cotton, 1/8" or 1/16" ribbon, embroidery floss, whatever I decide goes with the 'feel' of the quilt. When I do most of baby/child quilts, I back them with flannel-back satin and use the ribbons. Makea a beautiful quilt and the ribbon blends in to the satin backing.

I always tie with a surgeon's knot - the square knots have come apart on me on quilts that are used and washed regularly. HTH

I always used yarn.

i have always used yarn as well it is so much faster and old fashioned looking but i would like to hand quilt on maybe a lap quilt

I am new to quilting and this is what I am using.

I used yarn then used pearl cotton. But for really high use or baby quilts , I use a machine tacking stitch. I just take the stitch length to zero, use zig zag on the highest stitch width and stitch in place several times. Goes really fast and no worries about pulling out stiches when working with thick yarns/threads and a large needle or a baby getting the yarn out with small fingers. Try it you will like it. Plus I found I am more likely to put more "tie's" in because it goes so fast.

Hadn't thought about that - now I have to try it when I get my new machine. Thanks

Thanks for all the great ideas. I love the machine tacking idea and will have to give that a try.

Excuse the dumb question but is perle cotton the same as embroidery floss?

I just did a Queen size this way and after searching on the board and googling found that like many others I liked working with crochet cotton (perle cotton, not floss. It's like the old cotton string.) I use a surgeon's knot and leave the ties about 3/4" on the front. Others tie at the back of the quilt, etc, etc. See the batting description for how close you HAVE to tie and either use the quilt block patter to guide you or just a grid of ties over the quilt surface.

PS: love your ?Borzoi? Beautiful!