Clipping Threads
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
Wow. I had no idea I was supposed to be doing this. I chain piece so I don't typically have much in the way of extra lengths of thread, but I certainly don't fuss over loose threads coming off the end of fabric. Between those & some of my buried quilting threads that I occasionally will lazily bury on top, rather than pulling to the back, there definitely are threads that will show through the white/snow/yellow fabrics when wet, but they usually aren't noticeable when dry. If it's not a show quilt, I totally wouldn't worry about them! But I guess I'm in the minority.
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: The Deep South near Cajun Country, USA
Posts: 5,434
I am a clip as you go gal. I hate that task of having a million (I know I am exaggerating) threads for me to try to find and clip off as I am about to quilt it. All threads do show more if the fabrics are light and thin. Even though the threads wouldn't show up that much on a batik quilt, I still trim them off. I hate them hanging everywhere and potentially getting caught up in new seams that I am making.
#24
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lake Stevens, WA
Posts: 1,914
The tails of starting threads on the back of quilt-as-you-go are more likely to be noticed than threads that end up sandwiched inside. BUT if one of those unclipped inside threads sneaks out a subsequent seam and you pull on it or clip it too close and snip the block ...uh-oh. Clip as you go!
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
I clip as I go because it is too daunting to do all at once. Sometimes I use a needle to fasten threads close to the seam so they will not show on the front. I secure them as I go because I don't want them to pop loose.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 594
I wait until I am ready to sandwich before clipping everything close. Otherwise, some of the seams will pop loose at the edge, particularly if I have had to do much "easing" to get seams to match. I would rather snip all at one time than have to go back and secure edges of seams. Setting my stitch length on "2" helps with that, to some degree.
#30
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
Since those pesky thread tail will show through on a light top, I'd say it's pretty important (on a light top). I am not as diligent on a dark top.
My friend uses the battery-operated beard trimmer to "shave" her quilt before she sends it to the LAQ. She folds it in quarters and deals with one quarter at a time.
My friend uses the battery-operated beard trimmer to "shave" her quilt before she sends it to the LAQ. She folds it in quarters and deals with one quarter at a time.
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