I will take a picture tomorrow to show everyone. My 1st quilt, YEAH!! Okay, my question is do you backstitch when you are doing SID? When I completed my SID and cut all the threads, I felt the end stitches were pulling out on some of them. That gives me great concern that the quilt will pull apart after numerous washings (baby quilt). Any advice for me? Thanks in advance. Can't wait to post a picture.

If your thread is close to the fabric color, I can't seen any reason NOT to back stitch. It makes sense that it would hold up better to do that. It's been a while since I've done any SID, but I really think I would back stitch.

If you don't backstitch then you would need to bring the top thread through to the back and tie your ends together then thread a large eye needle with the two threads and 'bury' them in between the layers. This will keep everything secure. Sort of a hassle but it eliminates threads coming loose. One of those handy tips from HS home ec that I don't always remember at the right time (before I cut the thread without tying it).

Thanks Linda B, My thread color matches pretty good. Looks like I'll be going back to backstitch....another lesson learned for a "newbie"

I'll will save this suggestion for the next time since I rushed to trim the ends (I did have enough to do what you have suggested before I trimmed)! Boy, this 1st quilt has definitely been a learning experience. Thanks mom-6 for your information.

Thanks, i always wondered about this too!

When I SID or FMQ I first let the needle pierce the fabric, then holding the top thread pull the bobbin thread to the top, then take one or two stitches in that spot, that locks the thread in place. When I am ready to end the row I also take one or two stitches in the exact same spot, again locking the thread in place. I then cut the threads and don't have loose threads on the back.

you need to secure your threads -- somehow--
there are a few different techniques people use-
you can do a couple back stitches at the beginning/end;
you can take a few tiny stitches at the beginning/end;
you can leave tails- thread them onto a hand needle and bury them in the sandwich;
you can leave tails, tie them into knots-then bury them....
which ever method you choose is fine- but you need to choose one of them

I do exactly like BeckyL.

If you start from the edge of the quit you don't need to back stitch. However, I try to remember to shorten the stitch for about 1/4" to help secure.
If you are starting in the center of the quilt, then pull the bottom thread up and mak one stitch and then I do one back stitch. Then I weave the thread tails back into the fabric. Some tie the threads and then weave the threads etc. If you do a lot of the weaving, the Spiral needle is a good choice. It is a bit pricy but the ease of threading is to me worth the extra cost. Sometime I forget to do all this and I will put a dab of Fray-Chek on the ends to secure them.

I set the stitch length to 0 so walking foot does not move for several stitches. That locks the stitches. As mentioned in a previous post it may not be good idea to use your walking foot in reverse. You may want to check with manufactur about that.

I always start with 1.0 stitch length and go to 2.2 or 2.4. end again with 1.0.

If the quilt is finished you could use dot the end with Fray check it works very well

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will be referring to this often for future quilting.

When you do this, and you are ending your stitching, do you bring the bobin thread up to the top?

Also, when you use this method, do you see the little knot formed when locking the thread and where you clip your threads on the top of the quilt?

When I SID I start in the middle and work my way out so I always bring the bottom thread up, make a few short stitches then increase the stitch length and finish with a few short stitches. Then I bury all my threads. When you bring your thread up you don't get a big nest at the bottom.

I do this too.

you need to secure your stitches somehow-
some people back stitch- some people leave tails, knot them and bury them- some people staystitch (do a number of tiny stitches on each other at the beginning or end- what method you use is a personal choice- but some method is needed to keep your stitches from coming undone