What are the pros and cons? I have only had my quilts machine quilted. I know that tying is cheaper that is for sure. Are there certain quilts it owrks better one, etc.?

Tying works best for hi-loft batting, it makes it a lot more puffie and soft I guess...
I tied my first quilt, because I didn't know anything, I would say that is your personal choice which you like the best....

It's whatever you like, most of mine are tied since they're donated, but I've tied ones for us too, also with either cotton or poly batting.

Tying is much quicker and is somewhat "mindless" while you're watching tv.

Quilting requires more attention to detail and takes longer to finish.

I know this is a "dumb" question, but I don't know the answer.

What is the "best" or most practical thing to tie an everyday or charity quilt with?

Things I've seen or heard of: embroidery floss, crochet thread, perle (or is it pearl?) cotton, wool yarn, cotton yarn, polyester yarn, button thread, narrow ribbon (how do you get it pulled through the layers?), carpet warp, hand quilting thread - - -

I have most of the above around - so please don't say "whatever you have on hand"

Also, I've seen/heard of more than one way of tying. One is to just go down and up with the thread and then tie a square knot. Another is to go down and up and down and up - and then tie a square knot.

I watched a couple of videos on youtube and I think one of them mentioned a surgeon's know.

There are a lot of opinions on this topic.

One thing... look at the packaging for the batting. It'll tell you if it's suitable for tying. If not, you may have to make the knots closer together (don't want bunching), but it still gets done quicker than quilting.

Other thing... as far as "thread". I've used embroidery floss. TONS of color options and reasonably cheap. This way, I can match the colors to the colors of the quilt and the knots don't stand out as much.

I don't care for all the individual threads of embroidery floss, so I use perle cotton.

I use embroidery floss personally.

Cathe,

How does that look after it has been washed? I was just wondering since I have only used the regular embroidery floss to tie quilts with. I will have a lot of varigated perle cotton #5 left over when I finish quilting my and hubbies cuddle quilt, I am afraid.

Thanks,

Linda D.

It looks the same as it did before it was washed! I have had a few tied quilts for 15 years, and while the batting has shifted and the fabric worn thin, the ties are in great shape! :lol: