I wonder if you can tie a quilt by just sewing x's instead of ties, like cross stitch, has anyone tried that?

I feel like some quilts patterns want to be tied. I have done several that I tried several quilting patterns on and ended up tying them. One has been on my bed since 1981. lost a few strings, but these are easy to replace. Since it is on the bed summer and winter both, it is washed at least twice a year.

So what did they charge to tie the quilts?

My mom left a big box of double knit fabrics all cut and ready to sew. They are too heavy to wrestle through my sewing machine so I tie them. The grandkids love them. They are fabulous to take to the lake, camping, and to carry in their cars for winter weather.

I have done this with a small baby quilt it worked ok could have been my sewing skill or th method but I feel like I replaced those tacks more than on anything I had ever just tied.

Also Yobrosew, I didn't know that they way I tied a quilt had an actual name "speed tying" or there was a different/better way. I've used a variety of different yarns and treads one time I tied a quilt with ribbon that was a pain in my ass and the only time I stitched and tied as I went with out the grid. I have never heard of the other inside-skip-the-tie I would like to see that demonstrated.

I put quilts on my 100 year old quilting frame, and make ties in the center of blocks. Ties in the corners sometimes have to go through too many layers of fabric.
Some ladies make their ties very loose, I tie mine tight. Loose ones are probably warmer, as the batt retains its lofty quality and so keeps in the heat.
My granddaughter and I tied a quilt once with pearl cotton. They all came loose. We had to re-tie them and then put Fray Check on each one. Some still came loose, and now that quilt is in my sewing room waiting to get completely retied with wool.
Wool ties never come loose. The more you wash them, the tighter they get.
Some are cut 4 inches long. I cut mine to less than 1 inch.
Ties can add a lot to a quilt top. I think using many ties really looks nice.

maviskw, thats good to know about the wool ties. Do you mean wool yarn or do you use something else?

this is the way aunt kay and i tied her pink/green quilt

I like to use my decorative machine stitches to "tie" especially baby & kids quilts so they don't pick at the yarn or thread.

Yes I like it too - you're giving me ideas!! LO