Using the thread cutter is something to get used to, but once you've used it, you will never go back. When I start the next piece, I don't pull up the threads. I might get a little nest, but it doesn't bother me as it is always in my leader or seam allowance. When fmq, I always pull the threads up to the top before stitching so I can deal with them later. Using the cutter is just one less time consuming motion that I don't have to deal with.