Depends... on the Bernina I back stitch and trim close. On the long arm I stitch in place, cut long and bury long both back and front with an easy thread needle. Knots? No thanks.
tim in san jose

I've done it all on the quilt I'm quilting now.
When I finish, I'm going to wash it to see how all method hold up. This way I'll be able to choose which is best for future quilts. Sorry, I'm not helpful.

Same here.

Pull the bobbin thread and spool thread to the same side, knot the two and then bury the ends with a big eye needle. Many would find this tedious but I find it relaxing and I like the look.

Me, too. I just cannot face knotting and burying all those threads.

That said, my quilts are just...well, quilts I make. I've given a few and will make and give others. But they aren't show quilts; I don't enter them anywhere and never will, I'm sure. My quiltmaking is mainly something I do as a hobby, as therapy sometimes (when I get broody or anxious), and because I've always sewed, have the time, and can.

I also knot and bury. It's how I "learned" at my first class, and just the way I'm comfortable doing it.

This has been an interesting question, and I have enjoyed reading the responses.

Thanks everyone.

This is what I do too.

Dina

If I am starting where the binding will hide my start, I'll go back and forth, otherwise I always tie and bury my knots. Using a self-threading needle makes it so very simple! When I first got my longarm, I was taught to take little stitches or go back and forth, but I found that it looked crappy to me and it came apart. Tying is very quick and much more permanent for me - I have to pull really hard to remove the knot when I have to remove the stitches!

Backstitch