I have a quilt (my second bed-sized quilt made) that I made in 1989. It is on my bed almost every day since and has been close to 18 years. It was tied with embroidery floss. I have no tears where the thread cut the fabric. I have tears where the cat jumped up and caught a claw, or somebody sat on it and then scrunched around and snapped the seamline, but no tears from tying it. The thing gets washed about once a month, tossed in the dryer, and then put back on the bed. It is starting to get ratty--not from it coming untied, but just looking a bit 'old' and worn. I should fold it gently and put it in the cedar chest for posterity, but I love the thing so much.
So, I think that whatever method you use can be effective. I really believe the better the fabric, the less chance one has of it tearing.
Anita