newestnana

I am trying to hand quilt a quilt completed recently and have the following problem:

When I am nearing the end of the thread, I put one of those little knots in it (like at the beginning) and attempt to bury it. However despite the fact that I'm being very gentle, the thread breaks...ugh! At that point I see no solution but to cut the knot off and take out a bunch of stitches so I can try again.

There must be a trick to it. I am using pearl cotton because I wanted the stitches to show. Was that a mistake?

Thank you in advance!

Marcia

virtualbernie

I never put a knot in the ending thread--just bury it between the layers.

QuiltMania

Pearle cotton is not going to be very easy to bury the thread but it can be done. Instead of pulling on the thread to pop it through, try a combination of gently tugging while trying to poke it in with the needle. Sometimes using the eye end can be easier than the point end.

Tartan

One thing I do to bury a knot is: pull the thread with the knot taut to where it will be going into the sandwich. Put your needle in just below the knot. Separate the threads a little with the needle tip creating a little space for the knot to go through. Pull the knot through and before trimming the thread, use the needle tip again to realign the fabric threads back to close the hole. If all goes well the knot is buried and you can clip the extra thread tail off.

117becca

I also run my thread out about 5 inches from where i end, burying it in the fabric and batting. Yes, i have to take several stitches trying to go back in the same place i came up from. Does that make sense??

AshleyR

I sometimes scratch the knot/fabric with my fingernail if it needs a little boost!

nygal

Here is a great book ALL about hand quilting. I think it the best out there...

http://www.jinnybeyer.com/ax_commerc...C5841390C7C222

sweetpea

Newestnana; I have been hand quilting for yearssssssssssss, to end my thread I turn my needle back the way I just stitched and bury about an 1" of the thread [what ever short anoumt is left on the needle ] . This has work for me with no trouble

ptquilts

yes, back stitching is what I would do with a thick thread.

Kitsie

Yep, that's works for me, too!