I tie all my quilts..but the reason for that is.. we are using them as snuggle type quilts. The ones the are LA'ed feel like U-Haul mats.. stiff and not as soft. I do like the looks of both types. The quilt my grandma made for me.. is 34 years old..and it was tied only. I also use yarn (as did my grandma)

Perle cotton or crochet thread and surgeon's knots. These will NOT come out EVER! Makes for nice soft cuddly quilts.

I have several tied quilts that have been in use for over 30 years. They are usually washed at least 3 times a year. A few threads have come undone, but it is no trick to re-knot where they came out. I use perle cotton to tie. I usually use two strands, because I like the look. Have a crazy quilt almost ready to post.

I remember my very first quilt I owned, not made was tied. I loved it, actually to young as a child to know there was a difference. It held up for years! I remember it wasn't to fancy. Red and green squares and tied with yarn. but nontheless, I loved it because it was my own blanket. In my years of blankets I've done both, tied and quilted. I have to say my fave it tying. But then, I don't quilt so well, I have a hard time keeping the batting and backing straight and smooth. I'll learn oneday I suppose.

I prefer crochet thread.

ROFL U-Haul mats! I think you made a point. When we went camping we took many quilts. DD 15 brought a extra wide and extra long twin that was tied. everyone was stealing it because it was so soft and just seemed warmer. It had warm and natural batting just like the ones that were machine quilted. It just seems to drape nicer if it is tied or even only lightly hand quilted.

I have tied reversible table runners specifically so that I could incorporate beads onto one side. Adds so much glitz and dimension without any extra work... and who can argue with that???!!
Laura

thanks for starting this thread. I would like to learn how to tie quilt.

I either tie my quilts with crochet thread or mac fine quilt them. Pattern of the quilt top and the batting used combined help me to decide which method is best. For a larger quilt, I prefer the quilt as you go method.

I tied a Tie Quilt for a friend. It turned out gorgeous. I used Embrodiery thread too. Nothing wrong with it.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...ng-t34074.html
topic has been discussed before

My very first quilt was tied, a twin sized one. It was alternating squares of yellow and white gingham with plain white, trimmed in eyelet lace. I tied yellow yarn in the corners to secure them. I made it for my daughter when she was a baby. I still have it, folded across the back of the rocking chair I used while nursing about 33 years ago. When my son was born I made a matching baby quilt, except that I quilted a heart into the white squares. I use it as a desser scarf in the same room. Hah, it took me another 25 years before I made another quilt. Now I'm hooked and will always be a quilter.

I have quilts that have been washed many times. Some are 30 years old and the knots still hold. I, too loke puffy quilts.

My DH (when he was a teen and as an adult) and his Dad used to help his Mom tie the quilts she made. They made a simple break down frame out of 1 x 2 boards and just rested it on furniture while they tied it, then broke it down and stored it until next time. He has lots of loving memories and good times with his folks. All of his Mother's family loved her simple quilts. They were made out of any cloth availabe including worn out polyester clothing.

I tie my quilts
 

I always tie my quilts. I have been doing quilts for probably 40 years since my first ones and they hold up very well with no problems. I use yarn that complements the quilt and tie every 4-6 inches or so. I use a needle that has an eye large enough to pull the yarn through. I put the king sized quilts on 2"x2"x8' boards with C clamps at all corners and then attach the quilt with tack pins all around. I balance all four corners on my chairs. I begin tying around the quilt as far in as I can reach and roll the quilt from both ends as I complete a section. When done I finish with the binding. THhe quilts I have been doing lately are King sized for my adult kids and their spouses as well as grandchildren. My oldest granddaughters response (she is 18) when she saw her quilt was Oh I love these little ties! And I was worried they would not like it that way. I do not use wool yarn I use synthetic yarn that I purchased at Joann Fabrics and that keeps its shape and is colorfast.

I tie all my quilts. I love the look. The family members I have given them to tell me that they stand up to the washings. Sending my quilts out would be too expensive, especially since they are used every day. I also love the softness. I use pearl cotton,embroidery thread. I never have used wool, it seems to fray after washing

what is "a french knot", please?

I use wool yarn. It shrinks and looks funny but it stays tied.

This is going to date me for sure, but I'd like to tell my story about my first quilt. I saw some red, white, & blue fabric with 1776/1976 on it and decided to make a quilt for my son. Of course it was in 1976, and I didn't know anyone that was quilting at the time. I knew that my mother had quilted in the past. Well, I cut red, white, and blue squares and used some of the special fabric that I saw and made it into a quilt and TIED it. I was so pleased with my success that I showed it to an older neighbor woman. She pointed out that since I had TIED it and not QUILTED it, that it was NOT A QUILT but a COMFORTER instead! My first encounter with THE QUILT POLICE!!!!! Another neighbor told me not to listen and that it was indeed a quilt. I happly dismissed what the first woman had told me. A quilt is a quilt whether it is tied or quilted as far as I am concerned.

I am making a quilt that I think will be hard to quilt so am seriously considering the tie option. Most of my friends go "yuck", but I'm still inclined to do it. Just not sure how or what to use. I'm enjoying all the comments here....

Another option I like for tied-type quilts is the no-tie-showing method such as Turkey Tracks, which I learned on this board. Tying all those knots makes my fingers hurt, so no-knots works better for me, and I like the look of the puffiness of tied but without the tails. It would work great with the French knots, since the thread between stitches is buried in the batting, so I'll be trying out that look soon.

I've tied a few quilts and i use pearle cotton which is usually located close to the embroidery thread. I do this when I use a higher loft polyester batting. The quilt is soft and comfortable.

A french knot is an embroidery stitch. The needle brings the thread up through the fabric, then you wrap the thread around the needle 3 or 4 times, take the needle back down through the fabric close to where you originally started.

http://www.french-knots.com/french-k...stitch-how-to/

YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul8XT72oA68

I made 2 quilts by splitting 2 king size sheets lengthwise and using a poly batt that was at least 3 inches thick! (I was a beginner and didn't know any better!) Tried to machine quilt one, realized some of my errors, so I split the batt down to 1.5 inches. Finished the quilting on that one with my domestic machine and said "never again", bound it with double fold tape from the store by folding the tape over the edge and machine stitching from the front (I said I was a beginner!). For the second quilt, pillowcased it so I wouldn't have to deal with binding. Then I tied it with perle cotton and left nice 2 inch tails on the back of the quilt. Had nightmares of spiders everytime I slept under that quilt till I finally cut the tails off! Quilt gets washed at least 12 times a year and is doing fine after 6 years!

I asked someplace about glue and was told it would damage in the dryer. kellen46 - have you ever had a problem with fabric glue and it is available anyplace or just specialty stores?

Now there is an idea I hadn't thought of. Use DMC and put a bead or button or ??? through the thread on the back before bringing it back up front. That way both sides are decorated. I have one quilt I'm making that will be as nice on the back and front - reversible - and was wondering how I could make both sides look like the 'right' side. :-)

Someone in another thread said that if you tie your quilt you can hide the fact that your points don't match. :-) I like that one!!

My four quilts that are finished!
 

First, second, third and fourth in that order. Four more tops done, two sandwiched, one done except for some handquilting around hot air balloons. :) All tied, binding is the backing. One with cotton pearl DMC the rest with DMC cross stitch thread. No more triangles for me. Hard, although putting ties at the points helps. :D

you do what you like to do. I have a tied quilt made back in the med 70. I do use the quilt and it does get washed and is holding up fine. p/w I have always used DMC also.

Thanks, Peggi. I guess I have been doing French Knots for years and didn't know they were "French Knots".....HeeHee!

I have tied a few quilts and have always been pleased with them. I've used inespensive acrylic yarn and had no problems.