Regarding tying a quilt: my sister told me to use the stitch on my machine that is used to sew on buttons. It ties the quilt very nicely. The two kids' quilts I did that way are still being used all the time and the tying has not failed. I'm guessing that you will have to tie them closely. Can't remember the distance between each tie that I did. My grandsons love the quilts and use them all the time. They've had them about 8 years now.