Hi Rosemary -

The first knot you describe is the one that I've always heard called the "spit knot". It's the one that I was taught by my mother (who was taught by her mother, who was taught by her mother.....) and is the one that I use most often. They call it the spit knot because you often lick your fingers first to get a better hold of the thread. The second knot you describe is the one that I've always heard called the "quilter's knot". My understanding is that it's the knot most favored by hand quilters because you can control the size of the knot better. At least, that's where I learned it. I don't think I've ever heard a name for your third knot, but it's the one I use most often on my quilting tails before burying them. I use the needle to help place the knot to have better luck with getting the second knot on top of the first. I was taught to use the quilter's knot in this situation, but that knot has never felt natural to me, probably because I wrap the thread too tightly around the needle. Oh well, as with everything you have to find what works for you....

Here is a good blog about straight line quilting with a walking foot and why it helps: themodernquiltguild.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/100-day-week-of-quilting-straight-line-quilting-tips-and-tricks/
Also, take advantage of these shows here on TQS: I don't know what machine you have, but even if it isn't a Bernina, the Bernina videos have some helpful hints, there is one on using a walking foot when quilting. And remember you can even use decorative stitches to quilt with your walking foot. I mark my quilts with Crayola washable markers that wash out beautifully when I do the blocking wash at the end. Hope you find quilting really fun in the future. It only takes persistence and practice.

Hi, I do have a walking foot which recently came apart. The bottom of the foot is attached by two little pegs. I put it back on but haven't tried it again.

Jan, I think everyone gave you enough good advice on the threads. I buy most of mine and my needles online mostly from Superior when they have them on sale. I hope you have a walking foot. If you do, there are a whole host of interesting things being done with straight line/walking foot quilting now, so I encourage that direction, but also try some practice on the stippling/free motion direction. There are some wonderful shows and classes on this site for helping with the quilting. Cheers.

On the only quilt that I did free motion I did a loop de loop. Ithink that's the easiest. Lately I've made computer covers and book covers and just do a wavy series of lines across the item. I've been collecting quilt patterns and machine quilting examples on Pinterest and it seems the modern ones seem to use evenly spaced lines in circular or any direction repeated at an even distance through the quilts. I think the hardest thing for me would be stippling.

Thank you all for your thread information I usually buy from Superior Thread either at shows or on line. My go to threat is King Tut and Master Piece. I've not been too impressed with Bottom Line but I suspect it was a threading error on my part.

Barb

I use mostly Superior threads. You can buy them on their website. Sign up for their email and be notified of sales. I think considering the time and money we put into quilts, it makes sense to buy high quality thread. The website also has educational information on the different threads and their uses. Rayon should only be used for embellishment and embroidery as it is not strong. I use Superiors So Fine 50 weight polyester for piecing and quilting. I took a quilting class with Cindy Needham, a Superior Threads educator, and she uses Bottom Line in the bobbin. It's 70 weight polyester and you can sew a long time before refilling a bobbin. She uses it on top, too if she wants to hide the thread for stitch in the ditch. If I get good enough with my free motion, I'll use a heavier weight thread for the quilting so it will show up more - LOL.

Kathy

It sounds as if your spit knot is similar to one of the ones I use. However what I do is take the end between my left thumb & forefinger, wrap the thread around the forefinger so it is a complete circle and then using the thumb I roll the thread off my finger twisting the two 'lays' of thread together. I then catch the loose knot between my middle finger and thumb and pull the thread tight (the right hand has been holding the threaded needle all along).

The other method I use was taught to me by my Mum and by hers ( which I was told was how the professionals did it), and is the one I taught to 5yrolds. You take your threaded needle in the right hand with the point facing the left hand. With the left hand catch up the end of thread to be knotted and lay it along the length of the needle with the cut end next to the eye, to make a nice circle. Wrap the thread around the needle several times (I always taught 6 times but find for myself that I usually only take 4 wraps). Then holding onto the wraps gently between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, take hold of the pointed end of the needle and pull it through until you cannot pull it any further.

The method I was taught at primary school was the most annoying, and that was to make a loop in the end and pass the end through once (an overhand knot) then to repeat it and try to get the second knot on top of the first - never had any luck getting the second knot anywhere near the first knot as I recall although I would probably do better these days, but by the time I had though about it I will have wrapped the thread around my left forefinger and rolled the knot off without thinking

Finally_{although there could be other methods we've missed} you can just take a couple of stitches without a knot, in the area that you are about to stitch over and catch down the end as you go, I usually do this for embroidery.

It involves wrapping the thread tails around your right index finger which I think you can wet but you might not need to. You twist the thread on the back of your finger and then pull on the circle you made with two fingers until it makes a knot. It's kind of a messy knot sometimes.

I was actually in a class where we were doing redwork where you made the end wrap into the first few stitches and there was no knot.

I also probably in another class was taught how to make a knot the right way. The woman teaching said how many of you use a spit knot? So I know there are others who do this. Since it was a while ago I'd have to practice her technique til I get it right. I think you take the tail and cross over the needle end from the left, twist the thread around the needle and pull it through and it forms a nice knot close to the end . I have done this sometimes especially when sewing applique with one strand of thread. I don't do needleturn applique much anyway. I'd love to hear how you do yours.

Jan, I just have to ask what is the 'spit knot'?

Thanks all for the great information. I need to head out and get some black thread for myself and my daughter. She is in sophomore year at college doing a semester about wilderness leadership. She requested her sewing kits that I made her. My guess is that she'll teach basic sewing skills to her fellow students. Or something needs repair.. They get to travel to Montana and spend a month there and visit Yellowstone. Just before she went off to college I showed her my Grandmother's spit knot and from there she's self taught. She's fixed holes in her jeans and straps on a dress last year.

Aurifil is my go-to for quilting and piecing. I'm a HUGE fan - and although a big spool costs $10-12 it really contains a HUGE amount of thread and seems to go on forever. I purchase mine online since there are no local quilt shops that carry any color other than white and black. I have used King Tut once - and wasn't disappointed, but again don't have ready access to it. One of my local quilt shops does carry Isacord and I like the shimmer it gives to my wall quilts, but I haven't tried it on a bed quilt yet. None of these brands has caused an issue in my machine - all hold up, thread well, and don't tend to break (unless I need a new needle). Hope this helps a little

I agree with the above and want to add Aurifil thread which is my latest favourite for machine quilting as well as Madeira for all sorts of embellished stitches.

Jeanine

I forgot to mention rayon. Bob from Superior recommends not using rayon thread because it will lose it's color if you bleach it, whereas polyester thread does not. This is why he doesn't sell rayon thread. However, very few people use bleach on their quilts and a lot of great quilters (Melinda Bula, for example) use rayon threads for their quilting because of the wonderful sheen. So, it's good to be aware of the "problem" with rayon, but, again, make your own informed choices.