Q: thread ends

16 years ago

Q: I'm machine quilting & have been securing my stitches at the beginning & end of each shape (feed dogs down, then up to stitch) before I move to the next section. Do I need to thread these to the back & knot them? Or can I just clip this babies off? I would like to avoid the extra step of threading a needle, but don't want my quilt to fall apart either.

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Comments (16)

crafteedee
Original Author
16 years ago
I ended up clipping them off w/o doing anything else cuz I couldn't stand them anymore. Needed to clean my quilt up before I moved to the next phase. I guess I'll find out if it will stand up to some use later...
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User
16 years ago
I can't imagine threading a needle that many times. I just clip my ends and nothing's fallen apart on me, yet.

How about a picture?
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crafteedee
Original Author
16 years ago
Cool. I'll not worry about my ends unraveling. :)

I just posted a pix of my cat sitting on the quilt I'm working on. Check out the thread "Cats & Quilts". I'll post a better pix later when I'm closer to being done.
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teresa_nc7
16 years ago
I use a self-threading needle and bury the thread ends in the batting. I love that my quilt looks so tidy and rest easy that the ends aren't going anywhere.

I'll never be without this kind of needle again!
Teresa
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glassquilt
16 years ago
First I take one stitch and pull the bobbin thread up to the top. Then I either use the 'fix' button on my Viking or I take several stitches very, very close together at the beginning & end of a run. When I'm done I cut the thread ends.
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Nancy Morris
16 years ago
I use a needle and pull the thread into the batting. It can be a long, dull process. I think next quilt I will do the tack stitches and cut the ends off. BTW I haven't heard of a self-threading needle. I will most definitely look for one.
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maryliz
16 years ago
I have the same brand of machine as Glass, and do the same. Or else I just make very tiny stitches as I start to quilt.
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amazingcm
16 years ago
Same as Maryliz and Glass. But I am just learning this and it is not looking so good. Last one is much better... grace
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laurainsdca
16 years ago
I will have to look into that self threading needle!

The only time I've sent them to the back to knot was if it was coming lose due to an error. Otherwise, I do the tiny stitches and snip them very close. So far so good.

If I was entering it in a quilt show I would consider burying the threads in the batting.
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teresa_nc7
16 years ago
I would never consider burying the threads in the batting without these marvelous needles!

A quilt shop owner gave me a very old packet of them (priced .25) last year when I was at the NC coast.

Here is a link that might be useful: self threading needles
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Woodsy
16 years ago
I had this same problem with my sunbonnet sue quilt. It drove me nuts!! I was given the tip to pull my bobbin thread to the top and take a few reinforcing stitches, then clip off the thread. Well...on my regular straight stitch, it doesn't reinforce (meaning to take several small stitches in the same spot) it backstitches...and I DO NOT like the look of this at all.
so Crafteedee...is that why you let your feed dogs down?? so the stitches are all in the same spot?? If so, I would never have thought of that!! I was trying to figure out what stitches on my machine used the reinforcing stitch, was going to change to that stitch, do the stitches, then switch back to my straight stitch...and it sounded like so much work..I hadn't tried it yet.
Lynn in PA
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User
16 years ago
Teresa, are those needles for hand or machine quilting?
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daylilydayzed
16 years ago
I am not Teresa but those needles are hand needles.
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Woodsy
16 years ago
One tip for self-threading needles...DO NOT try to push the needle through anything by placing your finger on the head. They are great to use, but wear a thimble or cover your finger, or the pointy ends will go right into your finger (ask me how I know! lol)
I have some that are 20 years old...and they still work like a charm!
Lynn in PA
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crafteedee
Original Author
16 years ago
Lynn,
My machine doesn't have a "FIX" feature. Before I figured the feed dogs down trick...I set my stitch length to "0" & stitched a few stitches & then switched it back to 2.5. Well, you can imagine the pain that was since I have a comp. machine & the stitch button only moves .5 each click. 5 clicks down - stitch - 5 clicks up... Grrr... Then it hit me that I could drop my feed dogs with a click & put them back up with a click. Easier than the previous technique & cheaper than buying a new machine. :)

I'll have to try & remember to bring the bottom thread up when I start & reinforce that way. I did try that today, & my bobbin thread is a darker color & ended up showing on the top. I might stop doing that if that continues.
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teresa_nc7
16 years ago
I don't think the self-threading needles are for hand quilting. The ones I have are too big and would feel cumbersome. I only use the s-t needles to bury my machine quilting thread ends.
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Q: thread ends

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Q: thread ends

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