My grandma used the string from around packages of meat from the grocer. I've used yarn, embroidery floss and crochet thread. I don't like embroidery floss because it ravels. Success with the others though.

Pearl cotton or baby yarn

The only quilt I've ever "tied", I did a whip stitch instead, then sewed 1/8" satin ribbon on top of the whip stitch and tied a bow out of that. I've never cared for the look of tied quilts otherwise, and that little project was a royal pain in the rear end.

I used Perle cotton and love the look and feel.

on our guild charity quilts we use yarn, but on my own i used embroidery floss. I like both

When I stopped at the P. O. last night, I rec'd my issue of McCall's Quilting magazine and there was an article in it about tying a quilt by machine. You just lay your piece of yarn (or whatever you choose to use) on the quilt where you want to tie it and use a zig zag stitch over the piece of yarn, then you tie the piece of yarn and you eliminate the step of threading the needle and pushing and pulling the needle through the quilt. Sounded good to me.

Thanks everyone for letting me know what you use and whay you like the best. Thank you for all of the hints and ideas. You are great folks!!

perle cotton--it comes in many colors, different weights, does not separate like embroidery floss or yarn- holds up for years- does not shrink, fade or bleed. is easy to knot- and a ball of perle cotton will tie alot of quilts--cost wise it is the most economical---yardage/cost wise.

What is the difference between perle cotton and crochet thread?

My Mom use to use left over warp that she used while weaving rugs.