This is my first time with fusible and so far I'm really enjoying this project. The pattern calls for you to baste this top and for the quilting to topstitch around the edges of the pieces. Of course none of the stitching is continuous. You go around this small piece, stop and end that thread, then move on to another small piece. I have always cut my threads and buried the ends, but I don't think my hands have it in them to push a needle a thousand times through all these layers of fusible and fabric to bury the threads. So my question is, how should I start and end my stitching? Do a couple stitches forward, then back then cut those ends as close as possible? Any advice or tips are greatly appreciated!!!

I prefer to start and stop with the smallest possible stitches for the first 3-4... some machines have a lock stitch that can be used at the beginning/endings too.

You can do it that way or you can hold the fabric in one place and let the needle go up and down in the same spot a couple of times. That will lock those stitches. That's the way I do it :)

I saw a video where she made tiny tiny stitches backward then went to her regular length to go forward, at the other end do a few tiny ones forward then go back with the reg size, I never tried it but she says the big ones cover the small so it all looks the same and you can just cut it off at the fabric and she swore it won't come out.

I love that ... wow ... that is beautiful ... :D

Okay, so either decrease my stitch length or just hold it in place. Got it. What about the thread ends? Do I pull them both to the top and cut them? Or pull them to the back and cut them? Or just leave them all dangling and say it's strands of his mane?! :D

Oh, I like this idea! Thank you!

I think this way would work the best! I can't wait to see it after you're done hand quiltiing it! It's a beautiful piece of work!

You make sure that any thread is brought to the top and cut. Other wise, you'll end up with big bird nests on the back. Don't you have a Bernina if I remember correctly? You should have several quilting stitches that have tie-off type capability. Or the ability to program locking stitches at the beginning and end of stitching.

That is one of the very few patterns that I have ever bought! Yours is beautiful. The pros that win the shows do not use the reverse, it makes a knot that sometimes shows on the back. Use your stitch length, 4 or 5 tiny stitches at the beginning and end of each line of stitching will do the trick. The eye just sees the countinuation of the line, it does not pick up on the tiny stitches, or so I have been taught. I do this all of the time and have not had any come undone and it is alot easier than burying the stitches, to be sure. Good luck, I am sure it will be beautiful.