I've been quilting for more than twenty-five years. I will share this (which I learned on Saturday!) Put your backing/batting/top on big flat table then take six strand embroidery floss and baste the whole top. Where you want the tie is where you catch all three layers with a stitch, then go back and cut the floss midway between each tie. You've got all the ties in place ready to be square-knotted or whatever. Works quicker than a wink, let's you see possible patterns for the ties, uses up some of that embroidery thread we all seem to have hanging around. Have fun!!