When using your machine to quilt, how do you start and stop?

I've look but haven't found clear information on what to do with the thread that dangles off the front and the back.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I should say I am using my sewing machine, no hand quilting here. God bless those with that much patience.

I pull the bobbin thread up from behind first. Do that by putting the needle down into the fabric once, then bring the needle up and pause and pull the top and bottom threads up and out to the side. At that point where they come out of the fabric, have the machine do a couple very small stitches to lock everything, then trim the thread tails close to the fabric and then a start free motion.

If I'm piecing, I just start at one end of the piece and end at the other, no backstitching required since I will be sewing over those starting and ending points with other seams that will anchor them. When machine quilting, I do backstitch the start and ends since those will not be stitched over (they will be stitched by). So the rule of thumb is that if you are going to eventually stitch over the start or end of the thread, I don't think there's a need to anchor the start or end with a backstitch.

Ooops, I just reread your post, you are talking about quilting, not piecing. So I always backstitch to start and stop quilting.

Thanks so much! I will try this on some scraps and try to get the hang of it.

At home sewing: So this will stop the little thread nests that showed up on the back of quilt when machine quilting?

Dallas news girl: Thank you for asking this question.

Linda

My machine, Janome MC6600, has a locking stitch. I push the button and it stitches in place for about 3-4 stitches. I also pull the bobbin thread thru to the top.

My 11000 also has a locking stitch, but I find it leaves a little bobble of thread on the bottom most times. Am I doing something incorrectly?

i pull the bobbin thread to the top. i take a few small stitches very close together to lock the threads and then i start normal paced quilting.

i do the exact same thing to end.

i try to start and stop in a place that isn't too noticeable.

when i'm all done a thread any tails into a needle and pull it into the sandwich.

Have you heard of burying the knot? You pull up the bobbin thread, keep both top bottom thread long enough to tie a knot very clost to the fabric. Then, you thread a sewing needle, place the needle between the fabrics, pull it out fairly close to the knot then yank on the thread until you hear the knot pop into the fabric, between the layers. I hope this is clear.

Jacquemoe:

Similar to when hand quilting?

It sounds just like when hand quilting. That is all I do at this point. Eddie, the one question I have is when you are using a walking foot do you reverse sew. I thought I read that you can't reverse withthe walking foot. Could you also start your sewing really close tothe edge, where you know you would be sewing your binding over the beginning to make sure that it is doubly locked in?

I don't like my locking stitch. too bumpy! so i just take a few small stitches, usually 1.0 or 1.5 and then change to a longer one and continue.

Hi! New to posting.
Re: "Nests" of threads under fabric when starting to sew, I usually pull up the bobbin thread and hold that and the top thread gently,toward the right and back of the walking foot, (or 1/4" foot) when beginning the first few stitches. Also, you may start with a small scrap of fabric under the presser foot to begin your stitching. Then just cut it off when you've finished your seam. It's similar to "chain stitching" or "chain piecing.
Hope this helps.
Marcia

Here is an excellent blog and video on what to do.

http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...g-threads.html