KEN

how do you end stitches if your machine dont have back stitch?

SteveH

I hold the fabric in place for a stitch or two. (Only ONE of my machines has a reverse feature)

KEN

my 1951 singer dont have back stitch.you must have to lift the presser foot to hold the fabric in one place?

SteveH

nope, I set the presser foot pressure so that it is just enough to feed the fabric. That way when I press my fingers down on the fabric about 1-1/12" in front of the needle it stops feeding for a stitch or two.

98% of my machines are 1880 and earlier so no backward sillyness for us...

Tartan

On quilts when machine quilting, I knot the long thread ends and bury them in the sandwich. In regular sewing, I don't backstitch if the seam is going to be crossed with another line of stitching.

Lori S

I do the same .. even do it on my newer machines.. its just faster than finding the button or lever. I suppose this habit started on an old white rotary with no reverse... and just stayed with me.

manicmike

Pull out about 3" of thread before cutting and double-knot is how I was taught and I do when sewing with my 66 treadle.

Sheluma

If the seam will be crossed by another I don't do anything. Otherwise I pull the threads to the wrong side and tie a square knot. If I want to be very neat and hide the thread tails, I leave long tails, then thread them into a hand-sewing needle and take a few small stitches to secure them and bury them into the fabric.

manicmike

Oh yes, forgot this part. Once you get used to it it doesn't take long at all.

mimi=17

why not just shorten the stitches at the end ?