:P I have used both methods. Sometimes the thread I am pulling goes way off, I will tear the end and then I can use the torn part as part of my little scraps. I always do this before I wash the fabic. Old habits are hard to break. I know that we use smaller pieces of fabric to quilt and some people say that it doesn't matter but............there goes those habits again. If I don't do this then I feel like something isn't right. To each his own. BrendaK