Joanne :
The best way is with a whol group of friends! We use embroidery floss type thread to tie. We have people continually threading big eyed needles and everyone does a section and ties the threads with a surgical knot. Someone else goes along with scissors and clips to the desired length.
We clamp all sections of the quilt onto a table, very neatly and stretched. If its and old table, no one cares if the needles scratch a bit.
Also, there was an interesting way demonstrated on "Simply Quilts" program that used a long needle & a crewel work knot. The knots appear on the top of the quilt, a small stitch appears on the back as the needle connects the layers, and the connecting thread between the knots is run in between layers with the batting.
If you like buttons, you might try the floss knot through the button holes. Makes a nice touch, not recommended for quilts given to small children as they can remove the buttons & choke on them.
World Wide Quilting Page * Question of the Week