The first quilt I hand quilted I put big knots at the end of the threads on the back. This was years ago and I have since learned to bury my knot ends in the quilt sandwich. It sounds like a big job to bury all those knots and thread ends but if you pick up the easy thread needles it will go quickly. I get the easy thread needles at Walmart for $3.50 for 5? They have a little slit at the top of the needle that you pull the thread down into to get the thread to the eye. There are other kinds of easy thread needles but these are quite handy for me.