I used to backstitch or use the stitch in place key on my Janome but after taking a FMQ class with Leah Day last spring, I have purchased special needles (with a slit) for easy threading and then burying my threads. It also depends on where I start and stop my quilting design. If I can start from the edge and work my way into the middle then I will stitch where I know my binding will cover my start/stop.