I try to mimic what my friend's Gammill computerized machine does. I pull up the bobbin thread with a long tail and take 3-4 stitches in almost the same place, stitch a few inches, then stop to trim the threads. At the end of my stitching, i do the same, stitch a few stitches in a very tight space, then pull up the bobbin thread and clip very close. My kids have been dragging around their quilts for years, and nothing has come loose. My sister has washed the baby quilt I gave my nephew this summer several times and it still looks great!