I met an Amish lady recently and we started talking about quilting. I have a problem when I put the backing on, even if it fits when it's layed out it's to big when I stitch it. She tried to explain that there are other ways to join them together. She said you can tie them every so many inches around the edges instead of stitching. I just don't understand it. How can you wash them if there not stitched together.

I think she probably meant to tie the whole quilt, and not just the edges.

Some people tie the quilt to hold all the layers together instead of quilting.

http://www.ctpubblog.com/2009/10/15/...e-quilt-tying/

I don't understand what you mean by this. Are you saying you get wrinkles and puckers in your back when you quilt from excess fabric? If so, this may be why the amish lady suggested tying. And yes, as others posted you have to tie everywhere on the quilt, usually at space intervals dictated by the batting. When I tie, I tie every 3" apart throughout the whole quilt. This is probably what the Amish lady meant.

But if you prefer to quilt, we would need clarification of exactly what is happening in order to help you and pictures help, along with detailed explanation of what you are doing.

Maybe she ment if you tie the edges then machine stitch the body of the quilt it won't shift as much . Remove the ties to bind . Never done that but I can see how it could help ..

Have to agree - Would be the same as stitching around the edges which I have done if the backing is the same size as the top and I'm afraid they'll shift as I quilt. Good idea actually

She said to start at the bottom go about 3" and then backtrac to the first stitch and keep doing that. I just don't get it at all.

I'm confused over how the backing can be too big. Maybe you mean the top is too big and now you don't have enough backing?

I would think the Amish would tie or baste a quilt by starting in the middle--not the bottom--unless they load it on a frame first. I have done that myself when I wanted to tie a quilt but didn't want to crawl around on the floor to do it. It's a little hard on the back to stoop over the frame and tie a quilt but not as hard crawling around on the floor.

I have no idea if this pertains to your problem since I'm not sure what you mean by the back being too big. I have seen quilts that were handquilted and they had wrinkles of fabric on the top or the bottom when they were not basted before putting into the frame.( They were not using frames designed for no-basting.)