I have tied a couple of quilts and had no problems so far (and one was for our big dog, so it gets a hammering). I did see a technique on a blog where the tie was laid over the quilt, then the quilter used the tack function to stitch the cotton to the top, then tied. I have yet to try this...but seemed like a plan...

I have made. Number of tied quilts....and they are now at left 15 years old. Everything is fine so far......

Me too, a sugeon's knot with perle cotton. I cut the ends too short and would like to re-tie for looks, but every one is solid after many washes and much use. (and I love the softness of the quilt!)

So glad I found this thread. I've wanted to do a tied quilt but like others was afraid the ties wouldn't survive over time. I feel much better knowing the correct type of threading and technique. Thanks to all who responded!

I use full 6 strands of DMC embroidery floss and make a surgeon's knot. I never knot more than 4 inches apart either. I've been doing this for years with 100% success.

Whatever you do, do NOT use metallic thread. Ha. I learned the hard way. Thankfully it was a small wallhanging, so it doesn't have to stand up to getting dragged around and thrown in the washer. I used purple metallic DMC embroidery thread, made colonial knots in the front, then tied with a square knot in back. I wasn't even halfway done with all my ties and some of them started coming undone on the back. I went back and tied them again. They came undone again. So I dabbed them all with a hot glue gun. Now they're NOT coming undone. Lol. What a pain, but the quilt sure is pretty. That metallic thread makes the top glisten and sparkle.

Why go to that much trouble? Two pokes with a needle and tie and you're done. The method described is subject to the machine tack unraveling-------------and they will.