I'm making a quilt for a friend just diagnosed with breast cancer. She teaches music at a private Catholic school so sees every child for the 8 -9 years they are there. I don't work there and am not Catholic, but I know what a huge part of her life this is . sooooo I'm making a photo quilt with photo blocks of her family around a panel that looks like stained glass. I'm going to machine quilt around the panel and around each photo block - probably around each border too. THEN I'm going to put long ties that pull to the back of the quilt. I'm going to give it to the PE teacher - also a friend of mine - because she also sees every child. I'm going to have her get the children to tie knots and sign a notebook that they have done so. The staff of the school will also tie and sign. I'm hoping when I give it to her she can continue to have friends/family/visitors sign her book and tie a knot. (This would not fly in a public school - I teach in one - but I think will be a good thing for these children - and for my friend.)
So ... anything to add? Crochet thread sounds like my best bet. I'll tie the square knots to be sure they stay, but the visitors will keep adding knots. Should I leave them about ...3"? More? The backing has a stained glass look with pinks and greens so the thread will be those colors. I have never tied a quilt before ... or put photos on fabric ... so ... hoping for the best!