Clipping Threads Before Sandwiching
 

I have always 'cleaned up' the loose threads on the backs of my quilt tops before putting the quilt sandwich together or sending it out to be quilted. How necessary is this? It's so much extra work and makes such a thread mess all over the floor. I was just wondering how many of you do this.

I trim as I go, long years of sewing clothes, and have very little to trim after the top is finished. I do always check the back and trim the ones I missed. I don't stress over this though.

delma

I do it, especially on quilts with light colored areas. Don't want any dark threads showing through after the quilting is complete. I'll admit, it's not my favorite part of the process and yes, it does leave a messy pile of thread.

I always trim all the loose threads I can find.

I try to snip the loose threads before I send a quilt out to be quilted. I found out the hard way that I should dod it when the quilt top is flat on the table or ground. I tried to snip a thread when it was up on my design wall and I cut into the fabric. I had to use some mending tape to tape up the hole. Thank goodness that fixed the problem.

When my mom was teaching me to sew cloths she taught me to always trim the threads as I went. She said the inside should look as good as the outside. I got in the habit then and it has carried through to my piecing. I hate loose threads on the inside of my quilts. I think if the threads are trimmed there is less chance of a dark thread showing through a light place on my top.

I always trim as I go. I don't want any threads showing through after it is quilted. When I use the long arm, I put the threads in my pocket as I go alone--clean quilt and clean floor. Saves a lot of trouble after the quilt is finished.
Sue

If the quilt is dark fabric I don't bother if it has light colored fabric I snip.

like delma said its a lot faster if you do it as you go, thats what I do as well

I always clip threads as I go, and then give the whole quilt top a once over before I sandwich it. But I don't obsess over it anymore.. the only places you really need to worry about it are where you have really light fabric. The rest of those nasty little threads will just get hidden in the sandwich and quilting.