how do you begin and end your stitches when quilting? More specificaly, machine quilting?

I read an article that talked about bringing the bobbin thread thru at the end and tying it, but I couldn't figure out WTH they were talking about. THen I discovered the locking stitch on my machine, but that leaves this ugly knot on the *outside* of the quilt, which I'm sure will get cut and then unravel at some point.

So, I've started doing backstitching. But I'm wondering if there is another, easier, more appealing way???

Moonhoney - I also have the locking stitch...it does six stitches in one place, but it leaves an ugly knot on the back. Sooooo what I do is this - You will have to hand stitch in your first point of stitching THEN at the end of each line of sewing ONLY let it do HALF of the locking stitches and STOP leaving enough length of tail for you to thread up a needle and bury the ends into the quilt sandwich. Subsequently when you start the new line of sewing it will automatically do three stitches at the beginning, thereby you get a neat locking stitch without the knot!!!! Does that sound as clear as mud as you say over the pond ???? lol!!!

Yeah, dark, dirty mud! :lol: Let me read that a few more times and try it out.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one this happens to. I was wondering if I was doing something wrong.

Moonhoney, I think the manufacturers didn't think about quilting when this function was introduced....on regular sewing it wouldn't matter as it isn't seen.

o.k. lets see if I can explain this simpler ....errrmmmm!!

1. Sew
2. Get to end
3. Press lock stitch button
4. Count the stitches 1....2....3...STOP

Leave a long enough thread for later.

THEN......

1. Start to sew new line of sewing
2. Machine will automatically FINISH off the locking stitch 1,2,3.
3. Except you are now at the beginning so locks the starting point
4. Repeat everytime you end a row!!

Tah dah!!!!!

Apart from when you initially start up sewing ALL your starts and ends will have three locked stitches instead of six!!!!

You can then just thread up the ends take a little backstitch if you feel it needs it, then bury the tails into the quilt.

NOW I have made that a little bit clearer, not so murky????? lol!!!

Izy I have the same feature on my machine, but its called the "Fix Stitch"... I looove it!!!

Lately though I have taken to not backstitching but leaving my beginning and ending stitches long so that I can hide the stitches between the layers, so I don't see any extra thickness from the fix stitch. I has a more finished look I find. I have been suggesting that technique for the last couple of my quilt classes too.

When you come to a stop, pull up the bobbin thread, leaving long enough threads (bobbin and top thread) to hand tie a knot close to the fabric where you pulled it up. Then, thread the two threads through a needle. Put the threaded needle down through the same hole as your knot and go between the layers for a couple of inches and pull it back up. Pull on those threads until your knot pops down underneath the top layer and then cut off the threads that you pulled back up. I hope that makes sense to you.

That makes sense Izy. :lol:

I think I have an idea on how to pull the bobbin thread up and out, but I'll have to play with getting it between the layers. Not sure how to manage that one... :?

Now thats easy Moonhoney.....Just hold on tight to your top thread press needle down then needle up button and pull on the top thread, it will bring a loop of the bobbin thread up now just pull it through (lift your foot up or you can end up with a big long piece of thread as it can be caught underneath and you end up stripping the thread off the bobbin...ask how I know that!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

been there, done that, too, Izy. :lol:

i don't like the lumps i get when i try the lockstitch method. i assume i'm doing something wrong, but i gave up on it.

when i'm being lazy, i backstitch to finish. sometimes it's invisible, sometimes not. when i'm being more careful, i pull the bobbin thread up to the top using the method Izy described. but when i'm being a really "good girl", i pull both threads through to the back of the quilt when i'm done, tie the tight tiny knots and then "bury" the threads with a hand needle.

psssssssssst ... don't tell anybody, but i've been known to use clear fabric glue, too, when i'm desperate. :lol: