Locking in a stitch?
 

Hi, Quilting Friends,

I'm getting ready to machine quilt for the first time. I've been a hand quilter until recently, but I've taken the machine plunge! What's you're favorite way to start and end a line of stitching? Do you pull up the bobbin, take a few stitches, backtack, move forward, and then snip the tails? Or, do you set the length to O and then move the needle up and down a few times to make a knot. I've heard both ways can work and I've done a few practice swatches with both methods. I generally prefer backtacking and snipping, but backtacking through three layers can sometimes chew up the fabric, no?

What is your method for picking up a line of quilting from the middle (like if your bobbin runs out in the middle)?

Are there other methods I'm missing? I know this is a tiny question in the world of quilting, but I'm a worrier when it comes to stitches coming undone...

As always, thanks so much for all your advice. Don't know what I would do without this site!

Bestest,
A

I personally don't care for the "lock" stitch, either the built-in one because it makes a messy knot on the back side, or the "start-at-zero" stitch because it usually winds up making a small knot on one side or the other also. First of all, I try to plan my quilting to have as few stops and starts in the interior of the quilt as possible. Obviously there are going to be some, and depending on the pattern, maybe a lot.

My preferred method is to pull up the bobbin thread, leaving long tails, and then just start stitching. I then come back, and with both the thread tails together, make a small knot very close to the fabric and tuck the tails. If you tug gently but sharply on the thread tails, that knot will "pop" into the fabric and disappear. Then I tuck the tails back the opposite direction and and clip. I think there is probably some technical term for this, but can't remember what it is. Yes, it takes a little more time but I think the results are worth it. It gives a smoother look and feel to the quilt surface.

I'm sure you'll get as many different answers as there are quilters on this board, LOL!

I don't backtrack, I pull up the bobbin thread, then take 4-5 tiny stitches forward. If I run out of bobbin thread, I just back up the previously quilted line, pull up the bobbin thread, take 4-5 tiny stitches right over the previous ones then go. I found that if I back track or stich in place, I get a knot on the back.

These are both great suggestions. I was hoping someone would tell me I didn't have to backtack. Scraplady: you use a hand needle to hide the night and maneuver the tails before clipping, right?

I like to pull up bobbin and just start stitching leaving long tail of both top and bobbin thread. Later I come back tie a knot by hand and bury the threads.

Those of you who pull up the bobbin thread at the start of a line, what do you do at the end? Tie a knot and bury?

I like to pull the bobbin thread up, about 6" long and hold it, take a few small stitches forward and then start free motion. I don't like to back tack 'cause it causes a double thickness of thread. After I stop FMQ I pull the bobbin thread up, clip leaving about 6". Then I knot and bury the thread ends.

I also don't like to stitch in place 'cause it makes a big thread lump on the back of the quilt.
peace

I took a class from Sue Nickels on machine quilting. She brings the bobbin thread to the top. Then the 1st 4 or 5 stitches take very close together, begin quilting and then end with your stitches very close together.

I pull up the bobbin thread, hold both threads tight, set my length to small and make 3-4 tiny stitches. That way you shouldn't have a knot. Reset to normal stitch, do a few stitches and clip off your threads so they won't be caught up in your seam. NOTE: If you have a machine where you can store a program for more than one stitch, program your zig-zag setting to the smallest length and width. (This is the same as very small stitches on your straight stitch setting.) Now you will have your zig-zag programmed to do small stitches and your straight stitch to do normal stitches. Start your stitching on zig-zag and do 3-4 stitches to get your small beginning stitch, then switch to straight stitch. Close to the end, switch back to your programmed zig-zag. Remember your machine will likely go back to preset standards when you turn it off so you will have to reprogram when you turn it back on.

You need to always pull up your bobbin thread because once in a while if you don't, it will make a really nasty knot on the back of your quilt. I just did a few tiny stitches before quilting in the ditch. I am NOT sure if this has been passed down to new people who are machine quilting, but it is BEST to have a busy print on the back so that any error in your quilting will not be noticeable. I was taught that over 25 years ago.