I just finished a quilt that I had done the stitch in a ditch method on. I'm a fanatic about hanging thread ends. How can I begin and end my stitching and secure it neatly and tightly and still be able to hide the thread ends in the quilt? I've tried taking a few stitches in place but it leaves a little knot of thread that is hard to pull back into the quilt. Is this question about as clear as mud? Hope everyone can understand what I'm asking. DC

You can backstitch a few stitches without getting the knot. Or, if you are real fussy, cut your thread long, pull the threads to the same side, tie a knot, then use a needle to bury the ends and snip off.

I usually backstitch a little ways and that solves the problem. Its ot visible and it prevents everything from coming undone.

When I begin to stitch, I let the needle go down and up once, then pull up the bobbin thread and, holding both threads carefully, take 2 stitches in place. then I continue to sew until I need to stop, either to put in a new bobbin, or because I've finished that space. When I've finished a space, I take another 2 stitches in place, pull it out of the machine leaving about an 8" tail on the top and bobbin. After I'm done with the quilting, I thread those starting two threads, take them right down into the hole they came out of to the back. Then I gently place the needle right back into THAT same hole and bury it between the layers just like when you hand quilt. Take the thread to about 1 inch from where you put it into the backing fabric, and snip it close to the backing. For the ending stitches, I take the top thread straight down to the backing, add it to the bobbin thread that's sitting under there, and do the same thing I do with the starting two threads. Now, was THAT clear as mud??? LOL Hope it was clear enough to understand. I NEVER snip my stitches close to the knots I've made. It doesn't take much manipulation for those little knots to come right out!!!

Lin, thanks, your explanation was very clear. I'll try your method next time. I think this what I used to do years ago when I was making clothes. You've been a great help. Donna

You're welcome Donna. Hope that method works for you. :)