Why Bury Your Tails?
 

I have to admit, I've never done this. I always take a few tiny stitches when I FMQ and then clip off the thread tails.

What am I missing? Why do I not want to do this and want to bury them instead?

Watson

I think it's a matter of personal taste. I don't like the little knots that form when I do the tiny stitches and clipping. I often use different color threads top and bottom, so that also causes an issue for me with the tiny stitches, because the opposite color often shows through...But I actually like burying the tails so it's no problem for me. Your way surely is quicker and easier.

I always bury my tails and it's a part of the quilting process I dislike-- I don't know why. Maybe I will start doing it your way, Watson. Certainly seems easier.

To be honest, the only quilt I've buried my ends on was the one I entered into the local fair.

Normally I either manage to hide the ends of the quilting under the binding, or I do small stitches (usually in a tiny little circle so they overlap), or use the 'knot' button if I'm on my Janome.

When I do FMQ I often have to backtrack over my stitches anyway - that's another good spot to hide an end, particularly if it's a bobbin change and I'm going to start up in the same spot anyway.

It usually looks a lot neater to tie and pull the knot to the inside and bury the tails. But that is the only reason to do it, because it looks nicer. I will do that if I break a thread in a bad spot and don't want it to be obvious I've stopped and started there. Normally I plan my stops and starts so it's not going to be noticeable (like on a dark spot if I'm using dark thread).

I also don't like the tiny build up taking tiny stitches. And I'm paranoid about the thread coming undone, although my friend assures me it'll be ok. Also I started as a hand quilter and just got used to doing the thread burying.

If the reason anyone dislikes burying threads is the actual threading the needle process, using the side threading needles like Sench needles makes that less painful! You can thread both threads at the same time and then bury them.
Here's a link to the Sench needles in case you're not familiar with them:

http://senchneedles.com/

I've always done the tiny stitches. If I remember, I use the lock stitch. That works, too. It's almost like doing the tiny stitches.

I bury the threads for quilts that are going into the gallery if they are traditional quilts. If they are art quilts that are non-traditional then I either do the tiny stitches thing, or I bury the tails, depending on what I think the quilt needs.

For quilts that get used in my house, or given as gifts to be used, I knot off my thread by wiggling my quilt back and forth slightly and then done some tiny stitches just to make sure.

Rob

I spent many a tedious hour burying threads. Why? I stopped and did the lock in place stitch. It only takes two stitches to lock the thread, one stitch back and one stitch forward. I snip and go on.

When I quit hand quilting many years ago I stopped burying threads. I do a few stitches back and forth then sew on. I do that at the beginning and the end. Never comes out

I was taught to bury my threads when I learned to FMQ so I do...I use the sench needles that GEMRM posted. It doesn’t take that long and I feel they are safe inside the quilt, especially on baby quilts that will get washed time and time again. I don’t tend to do it on table runners ... and I agree it’s personal preference.

If a quilt's going to be used and washed, I usually do back-and-forth stitching at the beginning and end. If I'm doing something for "show" (not very often), I bury threads.

I tie and bury threads that are in the body of the quilt such as individual squares or features. However when I can go from side to side I cover the ends in the binding and do not bother to tie them. So, I suppose I do about half and half.

With the newer machines having thread cutters I'll admit it's easier just to push a button to cut them...however it does leave a tiny knot. I bury mine.

Watson, I bury my threads when I hand quilt, but all the videos and classes I've taken for FMQ shows them lockstitching the ends. I like to do it that way instead.

I never bury my threads. I pull up the threads when I start, take a few stitches very close, and then I'm off. When I stop, I take the same few stitches, pull up my threads, and clip very close. I find that a curved blade scissors works best.

I should also add that I've won many blue ribbons at our county fair with this method...

Judges comment negatively on ending a line of quilting with tiny stitches in major shows. I bury the tails on show quilts and do the tiny stitches on everything else.

I suppose if I were using a plain backing or a bobbin thread that did not match my backing I might, but I find if I match my bobbin thread to my backing and the backing is fairly busy it isn't that obvious. Why do a boring tedious task if I don't need to?

I've been asking myself this question a lot lately, about a lot of different things in my life!!

https://weallsew.com/how-to-bury-you...lting-project/
I use this method, using a long needle and dental floss for thread.

;):D. We get smart too late sometimes.

[QUOTE=GEMRM;7940312]If the reason anyone dislikes burying threads is the actual threading the needle process, using the side threading needles like Sench needles makes that less painful! You can thread both threads at the same time and then bury them.
Here's a link to the Sench needles in case you're not familiar with them:

Yes, the actual threading is a pain cause sometimes one is longer than other or too short. I'm off to hobby lobby to see if they have some.

Lasso that thread!
 

I also use this method, no more threading needles over and over, just the once and off you go. I like the dental floss idea, I will try that next time.

Since my quilts are not in shows I do the tiny stitches or lock stitch. I want them to be well used so I do all I can on my machine.

I have always buried my threads in all my sewing. It is just something I was taught to do, so it doesn't bother me to do it.