I thought tacking was done with the machine, anyway that's what I call it. Instead of tying charity lap quilts I machine tack them because it is faster and easier than tying. Looks good too.

I've used the clasp stitch on my Janome to tack the borders and it worked
beautifully. I'm not experienced in FMQ so tacking worked really well for me.
:D There are no tails with the clasp stitch. It makes an asterisk and then I
cut the thread as close as possible. I don't like tails in my quilts. ;)

I tack many quilts ( it is different than tying). It goes so fast and easy... especially for baby quilts where there is concern over the threads/yarns coming free and causing a choking issue. Because it goes so fast I find I put alot mre tacks in than I would if I tied.

please explain to me how to tack with your machine. there is always something new to learn from this site. thank you

I use a wide zig zag stitch( the widest , is what i prefer) , and take the stitch lenght down to zero. I stitch in place several times to make a sort of "bar tack" . I do this in the same places you would tie a quilt. I do it more than some are tyed since it goes so fast .. I just can. I sometimes use invisable thread on the top , or corresponding thread color depending on the quilt.

I know others who have used a straight stitch and made one inch X in places . Typically in the ditch. I have also seen a decorative stitch used , where they only stitch out a few of the motifs. Make sure to do a few back stiches if you use this method to lock your stitches.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who tacks (or ties) their quilts. I've tried machine stitching all the sandwiched layers of my quilt but I felt distracted by the machine stitching visibility. It was my first try at it and only a baby quilt at that. I still think I prefer a tacked quilt. Like Clem55, I do my tacking at the block corners and stagger the rows, too. And without enough room in my rooms, tacking seems to work out better for me anyway.

thanks lori, i think you have saved me alot of work

would u be so kind as to tell me how to tack a quilt , i am not sure i understand the difference in tacking and tying but would like to try it if it is faster than tying......thak you olivia

i do not think there is a difference between tacking and tying. if you have been tying then i think you have got it down pat.i asked about tacking because most people spoke of quilting. i got so that i was beginning to think i was the only one who didn't quilt. i wass beginning to feel oldfashioned because i am only tacking or tying.