Dot each thread start/stop with a tiny bit of fraycheck. I think you are ok...but the fraycheck will ensure you are.
Hints:
Pull up the bobbin thread to start, then take 4-5 very tiny stitches (think 20 st to an inch...1.6 on my Brother machine)...do the same to end the stitches..4-5 very tiny stitches, pull up the bobbin thread and trim it and the top thread close to the stitching.
Another thought...doing freehand on your home machine...try the darning foot, not the walking foot.
Drop the feed dogs (cover with a playing or index card if you can't drop the feed dogs), set the stitches at zero.
Follow the seams, gently moving the fabric under the darning/embroidery foot as you go. You will have to practice this technique, as the stitch length is set by how fast/slow you move the fabric.
I think the photo looks fine...just clip close to the fabric, put a tiny spot of fraycheck on each start/stop...then, when dry...wash the quilt. Cotton fabric will shrink a bit and the batting will grab the thread, it won't come out.
Originally Posted by wattse2000
This is my first time quilting with a walking foot. In fact, this is my first time quilting by machine at all. I was so excited when I finished piecing my top that I got started with quilting before I had done enough research. My first mistake was the design I chose. It requires a lot of stopping and starting -- meaning I have to cut the thread and begin again in a new spot. On some blocks I just went ahead quilting without backstitching. That quilting started to come out so I started using a few backstitches. It makes the quilting kind of messy but at least (I hoped) it wouldn't come out. You can see the stops and starts in the picture. Unfortunately, the ends of the thread on some of those blocks is starting to come out as well. Now I'm almost done with the quilt and I'm afraid it's going to completely unravel with use and washing. I'm afraid I've ruined the entire quilt and I'm devastated!!! If sections come "un-quilted" will I be able to "re-quilt" them after the binding is already on? Have any of you ever had this experience??? Should I rip all the quilting out (would take FOREVER) and just do an all-over grid?