Do you all use leaders and enders when you piece? Actually I use them almost always. I leave one under the presser foot which is down and the needle down too when I shut my machine down. I pitch them when they seem to get too full. These are the small pieces that don't go in the scrap basket of course.

Yes, I use leaders and enders as it saves thread. I use a razor type letter opener to clip pieces apart.

Sometimes I use Bonne Hunt's technique of making other patches out of scraps....as my leader/ender.

I haven't ever used them but since my Pfaff sometimes wants to push fabric down through the plate they probably would save me alot of grief.

i also use them always, has saved me a lot of nasty words.lol

I use leaders (call them "thread bunnies" ) but not enders. Don't know why because it just end up being a leader.

I do occasionally, but mostly I have a stack of pieces next to my machine and I piece a block instead :D:D:D

I also use Leaders, and enders.i have for a couple years now..ever since i saw them on Bonnie Hunters site.

http://www.quiltville.com/

she has alot of free ideas and she gives me motivation!

Take the time to search her site, you will be happy you did!

If you are doing the 9 patch challenge, why not you could be doing your 9 patch along with everything else.

I use them also but they aren't headed to the trash. I make simple blocks. This way, without even realizing it, you've got a scrap quilt.

Do you have a straight stitch plate you can use? That helped me alot on my pfaff 7570.

Bonnie's two books are fantastic about finding scrap fabric and using leaders and enders. Her patterns are so nice, all made with scraps from teeny tiny to shirt tails.

Thank you for the great website. I really got into it. Sharing is so much fun Thanks again.....

Bonnie really is wonderful! she has a book i want to get, called shirt tails (not the whole title, CRS tonight! lol)
anyways, i have a boat load of mens cotton shirts i got off freecycle and and thrift shops..all cut up and and ready for that someday quilt!

Oh I learned that but forgot that little hint. Funny how we get stuck in our ways.

Use of leaders and enders was the very first tip my quilting instructor taught me. She said it twists the threads which helps keep them from putting loose while you are working on your blocks. I use them faithfully.

I guess I am the odd woman out here. I have tried to use them for awhile, I just don't see what the point is. My old Bernina has a thread cutter, that holds the threads, so they don't get pulled down under when you start your next seam. I have read about Bonnie using them to use in another quilt, but that would get me so sidetracked, I'd never get either finished.

Yup I use Bonnie's method, I have a stack of 2 inch squares that I piece as I sew other projects, I eventually make then 3 blocks wide, then start piecing the rows together, all while working on something else. I also try to piece two blocks at a time for the project I am actually working on so I always have something from the quilt I am doing under the needle, but when I can't do that I use the 2 inch blocks. I love it!!

Cheers!
Rachel

Yes, all the time!

I use the leaders especially when I am piecing triangles. I can't leave the needle down on my machine and turn it off. It is computerized and it messes up the timing. I always left my needle down on my old mechanical machine.

me too; exactly as you do.

Same here, I have a scrap quilt done by the time I am done with reg one.

OMG - I just spent 1 1/2 hours at her site, and I put lots of her quilt ideas in my Favorites. Thank you so much! Her ideas for 2" blocks as Leaders and Enders alone is fabulous.

OK, I'm going to try this on my next project! Thanks everyone for your thoughts!

Here's what I don't get about Bonnie's technique of using another patch for leaders and enders: won't you just have the same problem with that patch that you would have with your current piecing without a leader? It doesn't make sense to me, so I have never used them.

I use leaders but don't use enders.

Jois

The ender is left on the machine throat plate beneath the sewing foot and automatically becomes the leader when you begin to sew again. If you always use your scrap project as leader/ender, you are actually sewing on two projects each time you use your machine.

If your scrap pile consists of simple blocks, just toss what you have sewn into a separate basket and your completed sections will build up gradually. I like to chain piece so this is right up my alley. :-)

Thanks Kay! Now I get it! Sometimes I am just plain dumb!

You're not dumb...... It's late and you've probably had a busy week. Give yourself a hug!!!! :-)

I sometimes read a pattern over and over before something sinks in. When I'm tired, I am far from being with the program, so to speak.

Yeah, it's late, but I have been muddling over that leader ender thing for a LONG time! Thanks for clearing it up!

Bonnie Hunter's new book is called "Adventures with Leaders and Enders." You can find out more information here: http://www.quiltville.com/

Actually I don't, did your machine come with two plates or did you buy one after? I have a 7550, so I think it is just the older version of the same machine.

You explained it well! i chain piece also. I have a small plastic basket off to the side with 2" inch pieces. when i finish a quilt and scraps leftover, i continue cutting them down to 2". then i put then right sides together while watching tv. they are all ready to go.
it is really important that use a leader of some sort when sewing angles! (or if your machine has the single hole plate,use it, mine does,but i rarely put it on :roll: )

I use them but I was told it was called a spider because of all the little legs. It took me a few to figure out what you were talking about.

I read about this site earlier on the Board, and totally agree with you; it's a great site.
Bought both her books; particularly like Adventures with Leaders and Enders.

Hi Mamabear, I bought my straight stitch plate separetely, but it was a good investment. My fabric doesn't *go down the hole* anymore! Your 7550 is identical to my 7570 except mine has embroidery capability. It's been several years since I bought my straight stitch plate, but I'm thinking it was around $30 + or -.

I always have two projects going at one time. This way I leave one project in the machine as I press/trim the first. Then as I feed the first project back into the machine I take the second one off to press/trim. I keep going back and forth. This process does slow the completion of each project down a bit but it helps me with my attention deficit disorder as I don't get bored with my projects.

LOVE!! leaders and enders

makes me think that I'm being productive, even when I'm just pootling about....

That's what I have been told too

What a timely question! I just started quilting seriously during the last 6 mos (after sewing for 42 years) and was just thinking about this yesterday. So I guess the answer to this question is: I do now.

Ok, I give up. What is a lender ender???? Please explain.