When I bought my first Bernina 15 years ago, that is what they told me to always do. I sometimes don't remember when changing thread on my Featherweight; but my Bernina is always unthreaded correctly. His other tip on always threading the needle with the presser foot up is a tip I need to remember. I think I can see the eye of the needle better with the presser food down. I wait until I am at the needle threading stage to lower the presser foot. Since the thread went through the tension disks with the foot up; hopefully my lowering the presser foot when I do is OK.

I don't even remember when / where i learned this....cuz for as long as i can remember, i've always clipped the thread at the top first feed and pulled it out "right way" through the needle......and i keep the presser foot up until i have pulled enough thread to amply thread the needle - then put it down to see the eye more clearly.

I do that too. hate wasting thread so i always toss it near my needle holder. Big mess of threads but they are there if I need one!

Thanks for reminding us about this.

Huh? I can't imagine needing a piece of thread that bad!

I guess nice not to have to thread the needle? But I would worry tied ends would stick in there somewhere.

What kind of knot do you use? square? weaver's? How short to you cut the ends?

Overhand knot and I don't cut the ends, just leave whatever is left after I tie the knot. When the knot gets to the needle eye, I pull gently and usually the knot will pull through and if not then I help it along with a fingernail rubbed across it while tugging.

I heard about this a few years ago when I was watching a 'stuff and fluff' quilting video. I think it was Paula Reid. It's become a habit for me.

I always teach this in classes too -- cut thread at spool, pull out thru the needle.
Same with bobbins -- remove bobbin from case leaving threads intact into the case. Cut thread at bobbin and pull thread thru bobbin case in same direction as it goes into the machine.

Jan in VA