What the heck do I do with the tails?
#31
Originally Posted by patientpiecer
If you don't want to backstitch, set your stitch length to 0 or 0.5 and take several stitches on top of each other as you start. THen set your stitch length to what it should be, sew a little, and trim those tails to and bottom. No needle threading or burying needed!
#32
Power Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 18,726
I have taken a couple of machine quilting classes with Paula Reid (who does all of Alex Anderson's quilting). She says to take the very small stitches, as described several times on this thread, at the beginning and end, then trim. I didn't know about having to bury the tails.
#34
Originally Posted by Dingle
Well folks, being new to this, when someone said to bury the threads and how to do it thats what I did. Did not see the part where it said (early in the post) to knot the threads first. So, all I did was bury the threads. Now I'm thinking I better not "ever" wash this thing or it will come apart. Since this is my first quilt I guess you just live and learn. :(
You will be fine, and you have done fine ... you will still be learning something on your fiftieth quilt! That is why intelligent people keep cutting up fabric and sewing it back together! LOL
#35
Originally Posted by Dingle
Do others backstitch when using your walking foot? My manuel says not to use the backstitch if using this foot. I don't know why it doesn't say. If I could backstitch a few stitches I would, but not sure if I should try not knowing what it might do to my foot.
HOWEVER! Having explained that, you have received some pretty good advice about how to anchor stitches from the get-go ...
To recap: Hold the quilt in place for three or four stitches (the machine will knot itself) before allowing it to move forward.
or
start at the very edge of the quilt and stitch across, content in the knowledge that your binding will cross those end stitches at least once and anchor your stitches
or
when you begin your stitching, turn your stitch length down to .5 or 1 for four or five stitches
and, the handwork if that is your choice. this quilt will have been a REALLY good teacher for you, and THAT is a good thing.
#36
Originally Posted by ghostrider
Dingle, how do you manage to make mitered corners on your bindings without sewing in reverse? If you can do that, you can backstitch.
If my manual said NOT to do something, I wouldn't do it unless I was REALLY sure it wouldn't be messed up ... follow owner's manual until you are confident you know what you are doing .... <g> all of us have little shortcuts we use that may or may not be "kosher" .... and, when someone does something differently than what we think, or is more cautious or more adventuresome ... we have to remember that we are the ones that have to pay the bill if something goes wrong ...
the more you practice piecing and quilting, the more adventurous you will become because you will grow more familiar with all the variables that are in this fine endeavor.
#37
Originally Posted by Dingle
Being a newbie and reading this board other posters said to start in the middle and work your way out to the edge. This is suppose to help with the shifting of the sandwich. Does doing it your way not really make a difference?
Thanks
When you are quilting on a machine that has a small throat, the easiest way to handle all the excess quilt is to roll the edges toward the middle in one direction .... if you have pinned your quilt every four to six inches, it is well stabilized to be rolled up and put into the machine. At that point, you can start in the middle at an edge ... but, we didn't mean for you to go to the middle of the middle and work outward ... I'm sorry if we didn't make that clear to you.
I have done quilting with my portable machine and worked from an upper right corner down to the lower left corner, just because I wanted to see if there weren't a better way to handle the quilt ... so, you see ... the advice you get is the best a writer can provide ... but, nothing is written in stone and there are many variations ... some things that work well for me might set another quilter's teeth on edge ... this is after all a WIP (work in progress).
Everyone on the list is on your side, wanting to help you succeed and thrive, so just keep on keeping on ... and, we will be waiting to see your good first effort.
It is obvious that you have taken a lot of time and care to accomplish the feat, be sure to share the finished product with us. <g>
#38
When I bury the tails, it is usually after I finsihed it not started it. I'll look at the nasty little threads on my pretty quilt, terrified to cut them off for fear it will unravel the whole thing. Burying threads means to me, catching that short thread that is ruining the clean look of my project and brining it back into the gutter. Not to sound like I am trying to push my invention, but one of the main uses for my side threading needle is it is easy to catch those threads and simply sew them into the gutter. Spiral eye needles have a small slot ont he side of the eye, this makes it easy to thread, even in tight spots.
#39
Originally Posted by PamTurner
When I bury the tails, it is usually after I finsihed it not started it. I'll look at the nasty little threads on my pretty quilt, terrified to cut them off for fear it will unravel the whole thing. Burying threads means to me, catching that short thread that is ruining the clean look of my project and brining it back into the gutter. Not to sound like I am trying to push my invention, but one of the main uses for my side threading needle is it is easy to catch those threads and simply sew them into the gutter. Spiral eye needles have a small slot ont he side of the eye, this makes it easy to thread, even in tight spots.
so, I have a question: do you tie a knot before you bury the thread in the gutter?
I can see that your needle is a good invention ... it looks like the gap the thread goes into, that gap closes as the needle goes through the fabric, sort of like a clasp, so that the gap isn't catching on batting and fabric. Correct? or is the opening not a factor?
I know what you mean about having TINY pieces of thread to bury ... sometimes, I almost get a headache <g>
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