In my family, the tops made by my grandmothers by hand, were hand tied. On a frame hanging on chair backs. They were wonderful, soft, comfy and lasted for years and years. I still have mine, past repair, but there are still some in my family that are still whole. I was surprised when I started quilting 2 years ago, how the majority are now machine quilted. They don't seem to be nearly so cuddly!