My mom and I do a lot of quilt tops. We tie most of them. We have 4 pieces of 2 x2 pine that my dad drilled holes in every few inches. We set it up on chairs and stretch the bottom tight then put on the batting and then the top and stretch and tie with yarn We tie every 4-6 inches depending on patteren. Have never had one come apart. My niece has one mom made her when she was born. Strawberry shortcake she is 33 and finally asked mom to "fix" the back as it was wearing out. I use batting from Oklee Quilting supply. Threw a piece in washer with out any covering with Blue Jeans and it came out the same way it went in. I love that company!!