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.