It's a small enuf to be useless piece of fabric that you end your sewing with (ender), needle down so that when you next begin to sew you can start right up (leAder)

FYI The ladies name that uses the leaders and enders is Bonnie Hunter, not Bonnie Hunt.

FYI The ladies name that uses the leaders and enders is Bonnie Hunter, not Bonnie Hunt.

Thanks for answering so quickly. One more question, if I use an ender, then I don't have to back stitch to secure the stitching? I am lov'en this sight!!!

Me too. I use my spiders until they are just a wad of thread then I start a new one.

If I am sewing something that will eventually go into a block I never back stitch as the stitching that will eventually run parallel when i make the block will lock the stitches if that makes sense. Also with my leader and enders, I cut up usable 2 inch squares, and I use those for my enders (which become leaders), I just sew a 1/4 inch seam on them, and as I do more I eventually get enough to make a block, that way the thread isn't wasted, it's used for a whole new quilt!!

Cheers!
Rachel

I sometimes use leaders but have never used enders. I will now, I learn so much from you all, Thanks.

I usually have another quilt in mind and am piecing on it for my leaders and enders

I am going to have to try it. I am tired of my machine eating the beginning of my HST's.

I always use starters but I haven't seen the need for the enders.

I'm in the process of putting together a quilt made of "leaders and enders" - I pieced a light and a dark 2" square together each time and now have them in strips.

It's very gaudy, but who cares, it's mine.

However, from now on I will cut 2 1/2" or 3" squares since the current one took too long!

Maybe I am DUMB, but
what are Leaders & Enders??
JBJ137 in SC

go to this thread to read about them

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-50383-1.htm

My ender is my starter for the next time I sew; keeps me from having to hold the threads when starting the next time.

what a smart idea; heretofore, I'd only used scraps.

I've only used scraps as well. I really like using squares and making a scrappy something in the end. The wonderful ideas you all have. I never think of things like this.

That's why we have the board. Some one else does the thinking and sharing. Good deal, huh?

I use them and teach others to use them as well. I need to get some scraps together to make something while I am at it! Never really thought of it, just used the same leader as an ender over and over and over, etc.

Yes I use them. God bless. Penny

My DH and I have been using them in our upholstery shop for over 30 years! I try and share the idea with anyone who might listen, it saves a lot of thread, and the thread's tail end can never get sucked in when starting to sew, you know when it gets all balled up and jammed on the underside of the fabric? We call it a bunny

I introduced these leaders and enders as "courtesy blocks" for my Girl Scout Day Camp ... at the end of the day, with JUST the 2.5" pieces, the girls had produced a baby quilt - - with leaders and enders ... Bonnie Hunter surely has many jewels in her crown <g> <wave>

yes bonnie does! it is one of my favorite quilting sites..
stashbusting is the best!

i am having some issues with my tension on my machine..so i have not used any leaders in the past few days..i have to figure out why i have a birdsnest at the start of my sewing..
:-(

I use them most of the time. I recently purchased Bonnie Hunter's book, "Adventures with Leaders and Enders" and am starting to use her method to make other blocks.

that's what I do since I read the idea from someone on the Board a while back.
Smart idea, killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

I love Bonnie Hunter's website. I finally read about leaders and enders. What a brilliant idea! I will start making some 4 patch squares now and not waste thread.

I always do. I received a suggestion on this board to use actual squares of fabric. So I have a pile of 1.5" squares next to my machine and grab 2 and send 'em through. So that way I'm not wasting thread and not destroying the poor piece of fabric that is covered in stitching... I feel kinda bad for it. So I'll have a quilt of 1.5" pieces with minimal work!